Survey of nematodes associated with Flowering plants in Khordha district, Odisha

A survey was carried out to study the association of nematodes with ornamental flowering plants in 105 locations of Khordha district, Odisha during November 2014 to May 2015 by collecting soil samples from rhizosphere of 34 ornamental flowering plants (OFP). Estimation of mean nematode population/200 cc soil samples revealed the presence of eight plant parasitic nematodes and three groups of free living nematodes. Among eight plant parasitic nematodes, Hoplolaimus indicus was associated with highest number of OFP (24) followed by Rotylenchulus reniformis (22), Helicotylenchus dihystera (16), Xiphinema insigne (20), Meloidogyne incognita (8) Criconemella ornata (4), Caloosia exilis (2) and Tylenchorhynchus mashhoodi (1). In context to free living nematodes, Dorylaimids were associated with highest number of OFP (31) followed by Rhabditids (27) and Mononchids (12). Community analysis of nematodes species associated with 34 OFP indicated that the highest prominent value was recorded in R. reniformis (179.4) followed by M. incognita (36.4), H. indicus (26.1), H. dihystera (24.3), X. insigne (17.2), T. mashhoodi (5.5), C. ornate (3.7) and C. exilis (0.3) in descending order. Rotylenchulus reniformis occurred in high densities, which was 233.5 nematodes/200 cc soil followed by followed by M. incognita (83.5), T. mashhoodi (58.0), H. dihystera (36.2), H. indicus (30.5), C. ornata (15.3). As regards to free living nematodes, Dorylaimids were having highest frequency (93.3%), mean density (39.3) and prominence value (38.0) followed by Rhabditids and Mononchids.