Radopholus similis (Burrowing nematode)

Radopholus similis (Burrowing nematode). The generic term Radopholus derived from two Greek words.

Redix  = root (it is endoparasitic)

Phelien = loving

The common name was coined after burrowing and migratory habit of nematode.

Systematic position:-

Phylum	Nematoda
Class	Secernentea
Order	Tylenchida
Family	Pratylencuidae
Genus	Radopholus
Species	similis

Diagnostic Features:-

• Vermiform elongated worm with 0.3-0.8mm length.
• Head knobbed, comprises piercing apparatus
• Stylet spear-shaped with the broad knob.
• Body cutacularized excretory pore is oesophageal region.
• Anterior extremity blust, while posteriorly conoid with a rounded tail.
• Oesophageal gland present, overlapping intestine dorsally.

Diagnostic Features of Female Radopholus:-

• Female: vermipre, prominent sclerotized.
•  Head with strong piercing apparatus.
• stylet present with a broad knob.
• Oesophageal glands developed and dorsally overlapped to the intestine.
• Vulva median, ovary single (monodelphic and prodelphic).
• Tail long, conoid, blunt-ended.

Diagnostic Features of Male Radopholus:-

• Body slender with poorly developed feeding apparatus.
• Thin stylet with a reduced knob.
• Spicules one pair, almost equal.
• Tail conoid with caudal alae.
• Caudal alae extended up to 2/3 of tail length.
• Oesophagous and oesophagous gland poorly developed.

Distribution and Host:-

• These are majorly inhabited in tropical and subtropical parts.
•  But there are distributed worldwide from Europe to Africa
• In India, these were introduced in Kerala through banana suckers.
• Right now these are found in the southern and western ghat region as well as the northeastern part of the country.
• There is a wide range of hosts.
• But they are found to be infested in banana, coffee, tea, sugarcane, tobacco, etc.
• Microhabitat is root.

Read More:– Pratylenchus penetrans (lesion Nematode) Click Here

Biological and life cycle:-

• Mature worms reproduce sexually throughout the year.
• Because of migratory and endoparasitic behavior, female migrated to the root cortex and laid their egg randomly
• Mature eggs hatched into juveniles. All life stages are infections except males because of poorly developed feeding apparatus (indirect developed).
• Life cycle completed in 4-6 weeks at 25-30 °C temperature.
• Randopholus similis can survive up to 6 months are not available and after that can infect a new host.

Read More:–Reniform Nematodes (Rotylenchulus Nematode) Click Here

Management of Radopholus:-

• Roots with numerous pores in growth zone.
• Severe infection causes rooting of roots.
• Later stages of crop turned into yellowing or premature aging forms.
• Falling of leaves and stem.
• Infection can be controlled by proper disposal of infected ratoon.
• Used resistant varieties of crop.
• Treated soil free from nematodes and life stages
• Water treatment with effective organophosphates.
• Biological controls can be applied through predatory insect and hyper parasitic bacteria.

Read More:– Anguina tritici (wheat seed gall nematode) Click Here