1Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala, 147 002.
2Department of Entomology and Apiculture, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan, 173 230, H. P., e-mail: mluqmankhan@gmail.com.
During the present studies 5 genera of tylenchid nematodes were identified as Tylenchorhynchus, Hoplolaimus, Helicotylenchus, Hirschmanniella and Meloidogyne from around the roots of sunflower in Malwa region of Punjab. Out of these, Meloidogyne incognita was found in higher percentage and causing the root galls. However, no gall formation could be observed at initial stage, but started appearing after 30–45 days of sowing, at harvest time these were noticed up to 90% with 4.5 index level (1–5 scale). Their frequency of occurrence were also increased simultaneously with the passage of time after planting to physiological maturity at average soil temperature 31ºC, pH 7.25 and moisture 6%. The population fluctuation varied largely in different location surveyed, as the lowest population was in Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhiana and the maximum population was reprited recorded up to 51%in Fatehgarh Sahib. Under heavy nematode infestation, the plants showed day time wilting, patchy and stunted growth and in Fatehgarh, few places crops were completely failed. The perineal patterns were also studied which confirmed the identification of M. incognita.
Meloidogyne incognita, sunflower, seasonal fluctuation
