Description of Xiphinema fragariae N. Sp. (Nematoda: Xiphinematidae) infesting strawberry in Himachal Pradesh, India

The systematic survey conducted for the prevalence of Xiphinema species in association with strawberry in Solan, Kullu, Sirmour, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Mandi, Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. The survey revealed the occurrence of X. fragariae n. sp.; X. simillimum Loof and Yassin, X. bacaniboia Orton Williams, X. insigne Loos, and X. radicicola Goodey, from soil around the rhizosphere of strawberry plants grown in various localities. X. fragariae resembles X. pachydermum Sturhan, in all respects except for the absence of males and little variations in morphological characters in the present population.