NEW HOST RECORDS OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES (MELOIDOGYNE SPECIES) IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Root-knot nematode is considered as one of the most important pests limiting the agricultural productivity throughout the world and a number of plants have been reported as hosts of Meloidogyne sp. in Pakistan (Maqbool, 1992). Roots of diseased plants of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.), rose (Rosa indica L.) and snakemelon (Cucumismelo L. ssp. melo var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin), showing yellowing with stunted growth having knots were collected from the experimental microplots in the green house of National Nematological Research Centre, University of Karachi. Upon examination of the root galls, mature females were found attached in abundance with heavily infested roots. Perineal patterns of the mature females were prepared and identified as Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 and M. javanica(Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949. Mixed population of M. incognita and M. javanica were found in all the three plants. M. incognita on black nightshade and rose have already been reported by Gul and Saeed (1989) and Zarina & Maqbool (1989) respectively. In this paper M. javanica on black nightshade, rose and snakemelon and also M. incognita on snakemelon are reported as new host records in Pakistan.