Meloidogyne graminicola an emerging threat to rice and wheat in Punjab province in Pakistan

Root-knot nematodes are destructive pests of vegetables in Pakistan. Yield losses caused by root-knot nematodes were estimated 10-40% (Javed et al., 2010). Meloidogyne graminicola a member of this group is becoming an emerging threat to rice. This nematode causes heavy yield losses in rice ranging from 30% under field condition to 97% under green house conditions (Sharma et al., 2005) and first time reported from Pakistan (Munir Bridge, 2003). However, no comprehensive approach was applied to estimate the infestation and yield losses caused by this nematode in the rice belt of Punjab.