Penetration behaviour of reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis on resistant and susceptible genotypes of Castor, Ricinus communis

Abstract

Castor is an economically important non-edible oilseed crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and India is the leading producer of castor sharing 65% of world castor growing area (0.75 million ha) with more than 85% of world’s castor production (1.2 million tonnes) (FAOSTAT, 2019). Several biotic and abiotic factors account for our country’s lower average productivity (1600kg/ha). Reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis is one among the major biotic factors affecting castor crop. This polyphagous, semiendoparasite attacks numerous cultivated crops and yield loss estimates by Jain et al (2007) indicated that in castor, this nematode inflicts monetary loss to the tune of Rs. 180 million (13.93%). Interaction of the nematode with wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini aggravates wilt incidence. Evaluation of various castor inbred lines, hybrids etc., under ICAR-AICRP on Castor, identified inbred line JC-12 developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur as resistant to reniform nematode (Giribabu, 2014). Our objective is to study the penetration behavior of reniform nematode on resistant (JC-12) and susceptible (48-1) genotypes of castor.