Nematode Pests of Horticultural Crops and their Management (1+1)

Milestones/ Landmarks in History of Nematology

Milestones/ Landmarks in History of Nematology 1941: Discovery of the golden nematode, Globodera rostochiensis in the potato fields of Long Island led U.S. quarantine officials on a trip to the potato fields of Europe, where the devastating effects of this parasite had been known for many years earlier. 1943: The introduction of the soil fumigants, D-D (Dichloropropane –Dichloropropene) by Carter for nematode control 1945: Christie discovered another fumigant petroleum byproduct EDB (ethylene dibromide) for nematode control on a field scale. 1951: Christie and Perry demonstrated several ectoparasitic nematodes like Xiphinema, Longidorus, Trichodorus, Dolichodorus, Hemicycliophora etc. to act as primary plant pathogens. 1953: Suit and Ducharme discovered that the burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis was responsible for causing ‘Spreading decline of citrus’ in Florida, USA. Serious problem of ‘Pepper Yellows’ in Bangka islands of Indonesia that shattered the economy of the country was also discovered to be caused by this nematode. 1955: Society of European Nematologists (SON)was formed. In 1956, this society started publishing first ever exclusive journal in the field of Nematology by the name of Nematologica (name now changed to ‘Nematology’). 1958: First report of virus transmission by plant parasitic nematodes was given by Hewitt, Raski and Goheen when they demonstrated Xiphinema index to transmit fan leaf grapevine virus in grape vines. 1971: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was found to be responsible for serious ‘Pine wilt’ disease in Japan that devastated vast pine forests History of Nematology in India 1901: Barber reported root knot nematode infecting tea in South India – first ever report of plant parasitic nematodes from India. 1919: Butler reported that Ufra disease of rice was caused by Ditylenchus angustus. 1934: Ayyar reported root knot nematode infesting vegetables and other crops in South India. 1936: White tip disease of rice caused by Aphelenchoides besseyi was reported by Dastur. 1958: Molya disease of wheat and barley (caused by Heterodera avenae) recorded in Rajasthan by Vasudeva. 1959: Siddiqi discovered citrus nematode and other plant parasitic nematodes from Aligarh soil in UP. 1961: Jones reported golden nematode of potato from Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. 1961: Nematology unit was established at the Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla. 1964: International Nematology Course at IARI, New Delhi participated by FGW Jones, J B Goodey and D J Raski. 1966: Nair, Das and Menon reported burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis on banana in Kerala for the first time. 1966: Division of Nematology was started at IARI, New Delhi. 1967-68: First South East Asia Nematology course held at AMU Aligarh and IARI, New Delhi. 1969: Nematological Society of India was founded and first All India Symposium was held at IARI, New Delhi. 1971: Nematological Society of India commenced publication of its biannual journal "Indian Journal of Nematology" 1977: All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on nematode pests of crops and their control was started at 14 centers with the headquarters of project coordinator at IARI, New Delhi. Development of Nematology; Why so late? Although nematological investigation dates back to the days of Aristotle or even earlier, Nematology as an independent discipline has its recognizable beginnings in the mid to late 19th century. Its relative late recognition as an independent Science was due to following reasons: Microscopic size and non-availability of good microscopes. Hidden mode of life as most of them complete their life cycle below ground in soil/roots only. A very small fraction of plant parasitic forms are parasitic on above ground parts of the plants. Non-specific symptoms except in few cases like root-knots or ear cockle of wheat which are sure indications of nematode infestation. Techniques of extraction were not known till early twentieth century. Difficulty in proving their pathogenicity as they are obligate parasites and cannot be cultured on artificial media Lack of trained personnel. Unawareness among the farmers/growers.