learn about reniform nematode and life stages and also characteristics and symptoms produced by reniform nematode also management practices for this nematode

1. Reniform nematode
R. reniformis
Prepared by
R MOHANAPRIYA
Assisstant Professor (Plant Pathology)
JSA College of Agriculture and Technology,
Ma. Podaiyur, Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu

2. First recorded in India is cotton by Seshadri & Sivakumar 1963
Systematic position
Phylum : Nematoda
Class : Secernentea
Order : Tylenchida
Suborder : Tylenchina
Super family : Tylenchoidea
Family : Hoplolaimidae
Sub-family : Rotylenchulinae
Genus : Rotylenchulus
Species : R. reniformis (reniform/kidney shape of
mature females)
Major hosts : Cotton, cowpea, castor, papaya and
vegetables
Type of parasitism : Semiendoparasite

3. Mature Female
• Swollen to kidney shaped with
irregular, body length upto 0.5mm,
• Dorsal oesophageal gland empties
into the oesophagus about one
stylet length behind knobs,
• Vulva raise in the posterior half of
the body
• ovary - didelphic, amphidelphic
with a double flexture;
• Tail – conoid to round terminus

4. Immature female
• Vermiform, acquires typical ‘C’
shape in the posterior half when
heat relaxed
• Head region conoid
• Cephalic sclerotization prominent
and stylet well developed
• Vulva in the posterior half of the
body
• Tail conoid with rounded
terminus

5. Juvenile
Resembling immature female but shorter, lacking vulva
and genital tracts.
Head of female

6. Male
• Vermiform
• Cephalic sclerotization
• Stylet and oesophagus reduced,
• Weak median bulb;
• Tail – curved, pointed,
• Bursa absent sometimes present
but not reaching upto tail tip
Tail
Head

7. Biology and life cycle
 Sedentary semiendoparasite on roots
 The pre-adult female(immature female) is infective stage.
 Vermiform females insert their anterior most region of the
body into the root and start swelling, becoming kidney
shaped(mature female).
 Gelatinous matrix is secreted by the female around the body
in which eggs are deposited.
 Second stage juveniles undergo three moults in the soil.
 Third and fourth stage juveniles do not shed the old cuticle.

8.  The nematode can feed upon cortical, pericycle, endodermis
and phloem cells and results in the formation of syncytium
due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the cells
 Life cycle- 25 days 25-30oC
 Lomy and clay loam soils are favourable for reproduction of
reniform nematode
 Males are non parasitic, but reproduction is by amphimixis
 Reniform namatode plays an imporatant role in the
Fusarium & Verticillium wilts of cotton

10. Control
• Deep Summer Ploughing during May/June 2-3 times at 10-15 days
interval can be effective in killing most of the nematode population.
• Grow non hosts such as Onion, Garlic, Turnip, Carrot etc., for 1-
2years in rotation
• In bold seeded crops nematicidal seed coating with Carbosulfan 3%
w/w, Fensulfothion 2% and Oxamyl has been found effective