Distribution pattern of plant parasitic nematodes infesting sunflower.

The results revealed that majority of the soil samples contained population of Rotylenchulus reniformis followed by Meloidogyne incognita, Hoplolaimus indicus, Tylenchorhynchus nudus, T. vulgaris, Helicotylenchus elegans and H. aquali. Other important nematodes recorded were Pratylenchus zae, P. thornei, Hirschmanniella mucronata and Hemicriconemoides cocophillus. The prevalence was correlated with the abiotic factors like type, cropping sequence and moisture conditions of the soil. Maximum representation of divergence groups of plant parasitic nematode were encounted in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states. About 30–40 females/plant of R. reniformis with egg masses were found associated with sunflower. The higher level of population caused yield loss to sunflower crop.