Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose) and coriander
(Coriandrum sativum L.) are important crops in Indian
farming.  Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., infest
several agricultural and horticultural crops all over the world.
The estimated overall annual yield loss in the world’s major
crops to damage by plant parasitic nematodes is reported to
be 12.3% (Sasser and Freckman, 1987). Various species of
Meloidogyne attack nearly every crop sown where, not
only are yields  greatly affected but quality is also
compromised (Sasser, 1980). Nematode infestation is one
of the most important factors contributing to low productivity
of crops (Dabur and Nandal, 2009). Root-knot nematode
was observed on the local ginger crop in the field, of Mr.
Manjeet of Gharana village located at 300m amsl, and on
coriander (cv. Khushbu) from the experimental field of
Chatha Farm, located at 296m amsl of Jammu district of
Jammu and Kashmir. Symptoms included root galling, leaf
chlorosis and stunting. On uprooting these plants, numerous,
small to very big sized galls/knots were noticed on the roots,
resulting in a very poorly developed root system. Specific
identity  of the nematode was determined by the perineal
pattern of the females (Goodey, 1963). The galled root
system from affected plants was washed in water and
immersed in a beaker containing boiling 0.1% Cotton Blue
and left overnight for clearing. Female nematodes were
teased out from the galls and transferred to a drop of
lactophenol taken on a clean glass slide. The posterior portion
of the females was carefully cut with a sharp razor blade
and the body contents were cleaned. The perineal pattern

First report of Meloidogyne javanica on ginger and Meloidogyne  incognita on
coriander in Jammu and Kashmir (India)

V.K. Singh and R.K. Gupta*
Division of Plant Pathology, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

 Dhiansar - 181133, Jammu, India
        E-mail: virendra_singh16@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Heavy infestation of root-knot nematode was observed on ginger and coriander grown in Gharana village and
SKUAST-J Chattha farm of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir state. Identification of the species revealed that
this is the first observed occurrence of Meloidogyne javanica on ginger and M. incognita on coriander from Jammu
and Kashmir.

Key words: Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita, coriander, ginger

of the females was trimmed and mounted for observation
as per Taylor et al (1955). For each observation, ten slides
containing the perineal pattern were prepared. Stylet length,
head shape and length of the juvenile nematode were
recorded.

Meloidogyne javanica: Female body pear-shaped,
without posterior protuberance. Perineal pattern rounded,
with distinct lateral lines. Stylet length ranging from 14.5 to
18.2 µm; knobs ovoid and offset; Male head  not offset
from the body, Head cap rounded and set off, usually labial
disc not elevated and lateral lips not present; Second stage
juvenile body 403.5 to 565.6 µm long; Tail slender, 48.3 to
61.5 µm in length; hyaline tail part 10.2 to 20.1µm long and
tail-tip finely rounded.

Meloidogyne incognita: Female body pear-shaped,
without posterior protuberance; Perineal pattern usually with
relatively high dorsal arch and without lateral lines; Stylet
ranging in length from 15.3 to 17.1 µm, knobs rounded and
offset; Male head  not offset from the body; Head cap with
elevated labial disc, usually without lateral lips, head region
often with incomplete head annulations; Second stage
juveniles’ body 352.5 to 452.2 µm long; Tail slender,  44.5 to
66.2 µm in length, hyaline tail part 7.1 to 15.2 µm long,
anterior regions clearly delimitated, tail-tip rounded.

Identification of the species was made by comparing
characteristics observed in the perineal region with
description given by Eisenback et a, (1980). Thus, based on

*Division of Vegetable Science and Floriculture

Short communication

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 6(1):74-75, 2011



75

the perineal pattern, stylet length, head shape, and juvenile
length studies, the said root-knot nematode species were
identified as Meloidogyne javanica and. Meloidogyne
incognita. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M.
javanica on ginger and M. incognita on coriander in
Jammu and Kashmir (India).

REFERENCES

Chitwood, B.G. 1949. Root-knot nematode - Part 1. A
revision of the genus Meloidogyne Goeldi, 1887.
Proc. Helm. Soc. Wash., 16:90-104

Dabur, K.R. and Nandal, S.N. 2009.Assessment of yield
losses due to phytonematodes in India. Ind. J.
Nematol., 39:237

Eisenback, J.D., Hirshchmann, H. and Triantaphyllon, A.C.
1980. Morphological comparison of Meloidogyne
female head structures, perineal patterns and  stylets.

J. Nematol., 12:300-313
Goodey, J.B. 1963. Laboratory methods for work with soil

and plant nematodes.   Technical Bulletin, Ministry
of Agriculture, London, p. 72

Jain, R.K., Mathur, K.N. and Singh, R.V. 2007. Estimation
of losses due to plant parasitic  nematodes on different
crops in India. Ind. J. Nematol., 37:219- 221

Sasser, J.N. 1980. Root-knot nematodes: a global menace
to crop production. Pl.   Dis., 64:38-41

Sasser, J.N. and Freckman, D.W. 1987. A world perspective
of Nematology. The role of  Society. In: Vistas on
Nematology (Veech, J.A. and Diskson, D.W. Eds.),
Published. by Society of Nematologists, U.S.A., pp.
7-14

Taylor, A.H., Dropkin, V.H. and Martin, G.C. 1955. Perineal
patterns of root-knot nematodes. Phytopath., 45:
26-34

Fig 1. Root-knot nematode infested ginger Fig 2. Root-knot nematode infested coriander plant roots

(MS Received 04 August  2010, Revised 10 May 2011)

 Meloidogyne spp. on ginger and coriander in J&K

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 6(1):74-75, 2011