Chapter 8 - Nematode problems in pulse crops and their sustainable management

Abstract

Pulse crops including chickpeas, pigeon peas, peas, lentils, mung bean, and beans are cultivated around the world and are vital for supplementary food protein to nourish the vegetarian and poor human populations. Infestation of plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) in pulse crops represents an important crop production constraint throughout the world. Farmers, however, frequently overlook nematode infestations as pulse crops are generally cultivated in marginal and rainfed lands. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica), reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis), cyst nematodes (Heterodera cajani and Heterodera ciceri), root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei and Pratylenchus neglectus), and stem nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) cause economic losses worldwide. For PPN management, growers make use of practices such as rotation with nonhost crops, cover crops, resistant varieties, and application of soil amendments. In many cases, however, these methods alone may not be adequate for PPN control. Even though resistant crop cultivars are commercially available for root-knot and cyst nematodes, they prevent infestation of only a few races, and due to development of new races, resistance breaks gradually over time. Biological control, utilizing microbial pathogens, endophytes, or antagonists, may aid in PPNs control, but has achieved only limited commercial success. Further research studies are required to accurately estimate yield losses caused by the economically important PPNs and to develop sustainable management options for pulse crop production.