Horticultural Nematology

The major objective of this book is to highlight the significance of phytonematodes in horticulture. Detailed and latest information on major aspects of phytonematodes associated exclusively with horticultural crops, which is the need of the day, is lacking. Hence, the book has been written mainly with the objective of providing its readers, comprehensive information on the advanced aspects related to phytonematodes associated with horticultural crops. It also provides basic information on plant parasitic nematodes since it is required for a better understanding of advanced topics. Several popular topics, information on which is already available in plenty, have been avoided. Thus, book explicates both the essential fundamental and advanced aspects pertaining to nematodes associated with horticultural crops.

The book is conveniently divided into 13 chapters, which cover latest information on  the  major fundamental and advanced aspects related to phytonematodes including the role of phytonematodes in horticultural industry, phylogenetic and evolutionary concepts in nematodes, major phytonematodes associated with horticultural crops and their diagnostic keys,  symptoms caused by phytonematodes and disease diagnosis, nematode population threshold levels, crop loss assessment, nematode diseases of horticultural crops and their management, nematode disease complexes, genetics of nematode parasitism, important nematological techniques and nematodes of quarantine importance. An exclusive chapter on novel methods of nematode management has been included mainly to provide the information on the latest molecules and novel modes of managing nematodes attacking horticultural crops. Routine nematode management aspects, information on which is already available, have not been discussed; instead, this topic reflects the changing scenario of future nematode management.

Hence, this book can serve as a friendly guide to meet the requirements of the students, teachers and  researchers interested in these 'hidden enemies' of the grower, apart from the research and extension personnel working under Public organizations, officials of State departments of Horticulture, Forestry, field workers and all those concerned and working with plant parasitic nematodes. Appropriate diagrams, convincing tables and suitable graphs/illustrations have been furnished at right places. A complete bibliography has also been included.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra obtained his Ph.D. Degree in Plant Pathology with Plant Nematology as specialization, during 1988 from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka , India. He is presently working as Nematologist and Head, All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka, India and is involved in teaching, research and extension activities in Plant Nematology. He has been a major advisor to the Post-Graduate students majoring in Plant Nematology for M.Sc., (Agri.) and Ph.D. Degree Programmes.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has over 152 scientific publications to his credit in National & International journals. He has authored three text books entitled 'Plant Nematology', 'Methods and Techniques in Plant Nematology' and 'Fundamentals of Plant Pathology' published by the reputed publishers and contributed chapters to several text books and authored 10 books in Kannada on various aspects of plant protection including nematology. He has also edited books and chapters related to Plant Nematology.

He has participated and presented original papers on various aspects related to phytonematodes in several National and International Conferences. He has undergone Advanced Training Programmes on nematodes sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology & Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India. He has operated research projects pertaining to phytonematodes funded by the Department of Bio-Technology & Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India as Principal Investigator and Co- Principal Investigator.

He was involved in developing six technologies for the management of root-knot nematodes infecting tomato, brinjal and rice which have been included in the Package of Practices of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India for the use by the farmers. He is an active life member for several Professional Societies including Nematological Society of India, Indian Phytopathological Society, Society of Mycology & Plant Pathology, National Environmental Science Academy and Institute of Agricultural Technology.