ABSTRACT

Several biotic and abiotic factors contribute in limiting the yield potential of maize crop qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Among them are disease, insect pests and nematodes. Maize cyst nematode (Heterodera zeae) is considered as the important nematode pest of maize in India. Application of nitrogenous fertilizers mitigated the crop damage caused by this nematode and enhanced the plant growth and increased crop yield several fold. The use of nematode resistant and tolerant varieties is a most effective and economical management approach. The use of oil cakes and other organic soil amendments have also been proved effective in managing populations of this nematode. Root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are cosmopolitan in maize fields and consistently found associated with maize crop wherever it is grown. Nematode damage to the fibrous root system can result in extensive destruction of cortical parenchyma, severe root pruning and proliferation of lateral roots.