IMPACT OF PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ON VEGETABLE CROP YIELD AND QUALITY IN JAIPUR DISTRICT

The assessment of population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes was conducted through a thorough analysis of 412 root and soil samples collected from regions dedicated to vegetable cultivation in the Western Uttar Pradesh province of India. The plant-parasitic nematodes examined in this research, organised by the prevalence of infestation (percentage of samples), encompass Meloidogyne incognita (82.16%), M. javanica (68.42%), Rotylenchulus reniformis (43.98%), Xiphinema basiri (23.45%), Hoplolaimus indicus (21.99%), Tylenchorhynchus nudus (16.60%), Pratylenchus zeae (15.77%), Heterodera avenae (7.88%), Aglenchus costatus (7.47%), Tylenchorhynchus mashoodi (6.64%), Aphelenchus avenae (5.39%), Discolaimus (4.15%), Boleodorus similis (3.32%), and Tylenchus (2.07%). The assessment of yield reductions associated with nematode infestation was carried out over a span of 17 vegetable crops from 2023 to 2025. Based on our visual field observations and insights gathered from growers, the average production losses linked to nematodes were determined to be 23.70% across 17 vegetable crops in Eastern Jaipur, with losses ranging from 4% for bitter gourd to 43% for eggplants. The most significant yield loss observed was 43% in aubergine, succeeded by 40% in tomato, 38% in okra, 35% in bottle gourd, and 32% in potato. The observed yield losses for bitter gourd and cabbage were notably minimal, documented at just 4% and 6% respectively.