THRUST AREAS
Classical and Molecular characterization of Nematodes
- Classical characterization was carried out for major root knot nematodes prevalent in Tamil Nadu.
- Molecular characterization of guava root knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterelobii has been carried out by sequencing the PCR amplified product BY 18s primer.
- Clover cyst nematode, Heterodera trifolii Goffart, 1932 was recorded from white clover (Pasture legume) in the Nilgiris.
Biological control of Plant Parasitic nematodes
- Fungal and bacterial nematode antagonists have been isolated, formulations were developed for two egg parasitic fungi viz., Purpureocillium lilacinum and Pochonia chlamydosporia and commercialized.
Botanicals nematicides
- Nematicidal and nematostatic botanicals have been screened and most effective ones were formulated namely, Tagetes erecta, Swertenia mahogany and Calatrophis gigantia.
Integrated Nematode Management
- Integrated nematode management modules have been developed for major plant parasitic nematodes
Host Plant Resistance
- Screening of genotypes / varieties / hybrids / accessions of cereals, pulses, oil seeds and vegetables against major nematodes like root knot, reniform and cyst nematodes are being carried out.
Nematode management in polyhouse crops
- Polyhouse cultivation of crops that includes few vegetables and flower crops is gaining importance in recent years. Continuous cultivation, lack of enough crops to take up crop rotation, presence of conducive microclimate within the structure, lack of challenging chemicals and reuse of soil leaves root knot nematode population at a high end, making them severe and unmanageable after two to three crops.
Emtomopathogenic nematodes
- Studies on increasing the infectivity and efficiency of Entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernama and Heterorhabditis for biocontrol of major insect pests using stressors (biological and chemical resources) is in progress.
Management of weeds by nematodes
- The distribution of Solanum elaenginifolium, a potential weed in cotton ecosystem is wide spread in dry tracts of Tamil Nadu. Studies on Biomanagement of this weed using Ditylenchus phyllobia (= Orrina phyllobia) a foliar nematode is currently under investigation.