Vol. 9, Issue 3 (2020)

Author(s):
Pallabi Roy and Aparajita Borah

Abstract:
Nematodes inhabit most environments and play a important role in managing plant disease in the form of beneficial nematodes (predeceous nematode and EPNs) due to their cosmopolitan distribution. Predeceous nematode reduce population of plant parasitic nematodes and also release nutrients in plant available forms, which enable plants to better withstand nematode burden on the roots. Biocontrol potential of predatory nematode depends on the rate of predation, prey searching abilities, strike rate, resistance to environmental conditions. The predators feed by puncturing the cuticle of the prey and then sucking its body contents, after penetrating the body of prey the predators move their feeding apparatus sideway. Stylet bearing predators show density dependent predation (Khan et al., 1991) similar to other group of predators. More predator-prey encounters at higher prey densities always result in the increased rate of predation.