Prevalence Of Nematode Population In Two Different Rice Cultivation Systems And Its Impact On Crop Growth

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to study the prevalence of nematode population in two different cultivation systems (SRI and conventional) on rice cv. IET- 4094 (Khitish). Total twenty-eight plots were laid out in paired plot technique. Irrespective of rice cultivation systems, there had been a steady hike in population of Meloidogyne graminicola and Tylenchorhynchus mashhoodi with the maximum being recorded near harvest and a sudden fall during fallow period was observed. The study indicated that SRI cultivation provided comparatively more favourable ecological condition for steady buildup of M. graminicola and T. mashhoodi population than conventional system. Between two systems, SRI method encountered comparatively more population of Hoplolaimus indicus. The spiral nematode, Helicotylenchus dihystera was also found associated with the rice crop but statistical analysis did not reveal any stable result to come into conclusion about their ecological preference. The study revealed that continuous submergence of rice field as in conventional system was detrimental to growth and reproduction of R. reniformis. The rice crop grown under SRI method acquired more vigorous growth as compared to conventional system. Profuse root and shoot growth as evidenced by root length, root biomass yield and straw yield in SRI might have limit the yield reduction in spite of huge infestation of nematodes.