Nematode fauna associated with banana plantations in Muzaffarpur (Bihar), India Fatma Gazala Ruhi1, Singh Shivanand1, Pervez Rashid2,*, Thakur Shashi Kant3 1Department of Zoology, B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India 2Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India 3Banana Research Station, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India *Correspondence email: rashidpervez2003@gmail.com
Online published on 28 November, 2023. Abstract Banana is a rich source of carbohydrate and vitamins. Several biotic and abiotic stresses inflict damage on banana plantations. Among them, plant parasitic nematodes constitute one of the major limiting factors for profitable cultivation in Bihar. The present study was carried out as a survey to determine the diversity and community profile of plant and soil nematodes associated with banana plantations in the district of Muzaffarpur (Bihar). The effect of banana cultivars and pH on nematode fauna was also analyzed. A total of eight soil and plant nematode genera have been encountered during the present survey. Among them, five belonged to plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) and three were predatory nematodes (PRN). Pratylenchus coffeae and Helicotylenchus indicus most frequent, abundant, and prominent nematodes in the community. Whereas pH 5.0 - 6.0 and banana cultivars Chinia and Champa rhizosphere were favorable to increase plant parasitic nematode populations in Muzaffarpur districts. This study indicated that a great diversity of nematode fauna is still unexplored and there is an urgent need to explore the diversity of both beneficial as well as harmful nematodes in the banana ecosystem. Top Keywords Diversity, Banana, Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Community analysis. Top |