Management of Plant-parasitic Nematodes Infesting Pomegranate and Guava

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Pomegranate and guavas are two important commercial fruit crops grown in India. These fruit crop plants can be attacked by insect pests, plant pathogens, and plant-parasitic nematodes, which can reduce the quality and quantity of fruit production. Diseases caused by plant-parasitic nematodes are of great economic importance. Many species of plant-parasitic nematodes are found associated with pomegranates and guavas. Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica are among the economically important nematode pests of pomegranates in the world as well as India. In India, these nematodes are a serious problem in Maharashtra state. Guava orchards are facing symptoms of sudden decline and loss in productivity due to heavy infestation of a highly pathogenic species of root-knot nematode, M. enterolobii. The root-knot nematode is spreading to new areas through infected pomegranate and guava saplings. Management of this nematode is a challenge because of its polyphagous nature and ability to survive on weed hosts. Different scientific management strategies are discussed in this chapter.