Host range of the spiral nematode Helicotylenchus abunaamai

Out of the 61 plant types belonging to 21 families tested in replicated pot culture experiments as possible hosts of Helicotylenchus abunaamai, 38 botanical species were found to be susceptible and favourable hosts in consideration of significant multiplication of the initial level of nematode inoculum. The highest nematode population was recorded on little millet “gulji” followed by rice. The rest of the 23 plant species were unsuitable for the nematode, 12 were recorded as poor host and the following 11 plant types, such as, niger, marigolds, rape seed, mustard, karanja, coriander, bitter gourd, knolkhol, radish and margosa were noted to be non-hosts as the final nematode populations were less than the recoveries made from fallow soil.