Hand Book Of Biological Control In Horticultural Crops (Biomanagement Of Nematode Pests)

Productivity of horticultural crops in India is relatively low compared to other countries. Of the several factors responsible for lower productivity of horticultural crops, plant parasitic nematodes are considered as important limiting factors. Some nematode problems (root-knot and reniform nematodes on vegetables; burrowing nematode on banana, plantation and spice crops; and cyst nematodes on potato and cowpea) are of national importance which causes significant losses to horticultural crops. Estimated annual yield loss of the worlds major horticultural crops due to damage by nematodes is 13.54%. Monetary losses due to nematodes on 10 horticultural crops, six of which are life sustaining, were estimated at US$ 19.37 billion annually based on 1984 production figures and prices. Considering the limitations of chemical control of plant nematodes, there has been a growing awareness to develop biological control measures which brings about a reasonably good degree of reduction in nematode population and at the same time ensure sustainability of production, cost effectiveness and healthy environment. Commercial scale production of biopesticides for the biological control of plant nematodes in the recent past has been quite intense. Several package of practices have been developed nationally and internationally for nematode management using commercially available bio-inputs especially microorganisms. The efforts aimed at increasing the naturally occurring biotic agents against the nematodes, both quantitatively and qualitatively can be termed as biological control. The information on biomanagement of nematode pests in horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, plantation, spice, tuber, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic crops) is very much scattered. There is no book at present which comprehensively and exclusively deals with the above aspects on horticultural crops. The present book deals with management of nematode pests in horticultural crops in detail using biological (antagonistic bacteria, antagonistic fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and integrated methods (bioagents, botanicals, nematicides, cultural and chemical methods). The book is extensively illustrated with excellent quality photographs enhancing the quality of publication. The book is written in lucid style, easy to understand language along with adoptable recommendations involving eco-friendly components.