Biology and life cycle of rice root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola)

Abstract

Rice root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) has emerged as a major threat throughout the world and it has occupied a place of ‘National Pest’ owing to its severity. This is a major constraint in successful rice cultivation leading to the significant loss to the rice grower. The present study was carried to know the biology and life cycle of Meloidogyne graminicola under glasshouse condition at Department of Plant Pathology, UAHS, Shivamogga by using cultivar “Jyothi”. The results revealed that the infective second stage juveniles of M. graminicola entered the rice roots within 24 hrs of inoculation and they started feeding and became stationary. Due to continue feeding the body size increases. The duration of second, third, fourth and adult female stages lasted for 1-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 28 days respectively. Females laid about 250-300 eggs in an egg sac inside the root tissues. The total duration of life cycle including the preparasitic stage was 25-28 days.