Studies on life cycle of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Life cycle studies revealed that J2 of root-knot nematode, M. incognita was the infective stage and penetration into the zone of root elongation was recorded after 12 h of inoculation. After penetration, second moult was observed on the 7th day of inoculation. The J3 and J4 stage were observed on 11thand 15th day of inoculation, respectively. Adult and egg laying females were observed on 22nd and 25thday of inoculation, respectively. Thus, the life cycle of root-knot nematode, M. incognita was completed within 25 days of inoculation on fennel during August-September, 2014 at a temperature range of 23.50C- 32.40C under Udaipur conditions.