Occurrence of Hemicriconemoides cocophilus (Loos, 1949) Chitwood and Birschfield 1957 and Other Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Infesting Cotton in Malwa Region of Punjab

Extensive surveys were carried out during 2007 to 2010 to know the incidence of various species of plant parasitic nematodes associated with cotton from different localities of Malwa region of Punjab. A total of 380 samples were collected from cotton fields and examined for the presence of nematode species. The results revealed the presence of different species belonging to several genera, viz., Hemicriconemoides cocophilus, Hirschmanniella gracilis, H. mucronata, Mesocriconema xenoplax, M. curvatum, Hoplolaimus indicus, H. columbus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Tylenchorhynchus mashoodi, Xiphinema bacaniboia, X. basiri and Longidorus pisi in the rhizosphere of cotton plants. The population density of the identified species was recorded from very low to high level, i.e. <20 individuals to >80 individuals/200cc soil from all the localities surveyed. H. indicus was foundto be themost frequent species with absolute frequency of 75% in the soil and roots, followed by Hirschmanniella, Tylenchorhynchus, Helicotylenchus and Hemicriconemoides. The population density of H. cocophillus in Mansa was found to be highest (1240 individuals/200cc soil) followed by Rampura phool in Bathinda district (440 individuals/200cc soil). The total population of H. cocophillus increased at the time of maturity of cotton plants. The prevalence was also correlated with various ecological parameters of the soil, like type, temperature, moisture content and pH.