Status of plant parasitic nematode problems of Karnataka and their management with special reference to genus Meloidogyne

Almost all agricultural and horticultural crops are grown in Karnataka, which is having variety of soil types and climatic conditions. The existing conditions are highly congenial for many biotic stresses especially for plant parasitic nematodes. Of late, there is an outbreak of many nematode diseases like, Rice root-knot nematode, burrowing nematode of banana, root knot of tobacco, pepper, vegetables and sunflower, Lesion nematode in coffee and cyst nematode of pulses. In general, the diseases caused by the genus Meloidogyne are attaining alarming propositions on various crops. Integrated management by adopting cultural methods, soil solarisation, application of organic amendments and bioagents and cultivating resistant varieties are being recommended to the farming community.