Management of nematode menace in protected cultivation of vegetables in India

The adoption of protected cultivation techniques has significantly enhanced vegetable productivity in India, by offering numerous advantages such as extended growing seasons, increased yield and better control over environmental conditions. Growing crops under protected cultivation has multi-faceted benefits; however, the adoption of sequential cropping pattern in these closed structures has led to the prevalence of soil borne pathogens, nematodes and pest incidence, which became a major hindrance to the sustainable agriculture. Continuous cultivation of crops without adequate rotation or sanitation measures in the same soil creates a conducive environment for pest and disease proliferation. Prevalence of nematode infestation is particularly concerning as they pose a serious threat to the yield and quality of agriculture production. Nematodes, such as root-knot nematodes and reniform nematodes, can survive in the congenial conditions of higher temperatures and humidity present in the protected cultivation structures. Nematode infestations can cause significant damage to the root systems of plants, leading to reduced water and nutrient uptake, stunted growth and lower yields and symptoms like chlorosis, wilting and stunting will appear after the significant damage. This review discusses the key nematode species affecting crops under protected cultivation, their impact on crop health and productivity, their ecological interactions and various integrated management strategies. Integrated management strategies, including biological, chemical and cultural practices, are essential for mitigating the menace caused by the plant parasitic nematodes. Cultural practices such as crop rotation and soil solarisation, chemical treatments with nematicides, Biological control using biocontrol agents and natural predators, are all part of a comprehensive strategy to manage nematode populations effectively and sustain the productivity of protected cultivation systems.