Status of wheat cyst nematode problem in India and its management

Cyst nematodes are sedentary and highly specialized endoparasites of plant. After invasion into host-plant roots, second-stage juveniles (J2s) induce ‘syncytia’, which is a very sophisticated nematode feeding site (Jones and Northcote, 1972). It acts as a nutrient sink and provides continuous flow of nutrients to developing nematode. The CCN, H. avenae is widely distributed in most parts of Europe, Australia, Russia, Israel, India and Pakistan. In India it has been reported from Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (Kaushal et al., 2007). Total yield loss caused by this nematode is in the range of 50-90% in certain areas, with an annual monetary loss of Rs. 80 million in the state of Rajasthan alone (Gaur and Pankaj, 2009).