Detection and Survival of Root-Knot Nematode in Harvested Bulbs of Tuberose

The study was aimed at finding root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and studying its survival in the bulbs of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa). Tuberose bulbs showed the no symptoms of infection on surface. Galls were observed on pieces of roots attached to harvested bulbs. Nematodes were found inside the bulb tissues. It is the first report of survival of root-knot nematode in tuberose bulbs. Nematode survived in the harvested bulbs for more than 7 months. Occurrence of many active males inside the bulb tissues suggested that the nematodes also underwent amphimictic development. Nematodes were present in different stages of development during the entire period of this study. Fully formed 2nd stage juveniles were seen moving inside the eggs of M. incognita. Nematode lifecycle continued in stored bulbs and these were the source of pest dissemination.