Occurrence and molecular identification of nematodes associated with brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) var. Mattu Gulla

The nematodes which belong to the family Longidoridae are obligatory plant parasites and are considered as economically significant pests since they cause severe crop losses around the world. Conventional identification of nematodes using morphological features is a time-consuming and challenging task. To overcome the challenges in conventional identification methods, rapid and reliable identification methods need to be established which will not only enable proper identification but also provide effective management program for nematodes which devastate the root system. In the present study, we have observed the nematode infection in a unique brinjal variety (Solanum melongena L. var. Mattu Gulla) grown in Mattu Village, Udupi District of Karnataka, India and identified the nematodes on the basis of molecular characterization using D3 expansion region of 28S rRNA gene sequence. Cephalobus cubaensis was found from the roots of Mattu Gulla for the first time. Our study will facilitate further screening and characterization of the root-knot and root-lesion nematode infections in both nursery as well as post-transplantation seedlings of Mattu Gulla in the field conditions.