A Survey of Globodera Rostochiensis on Potato Crops in Himachal Pradesh; Occurrence and Detection.

Abstract A survey was carried out to estimate the frequency and occurrence of potato cyst nematode (PCN) in potato cultivating fields in different districts of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 109 composite soil samples were collected from 5 districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. Nematode cysts were extracted from the soil using standard procedure. The population density and percentage of occurrence of cyst nematode were calculated. According to the results district, Mandi had the highest PCN cyst population density, and the percentage of occurrence is 100%. District Kangra had the least PCN cyst population density and the percentage of occurrence is 66.6%. This survey showed the occurrence Globodera rostochiensis district-wise. The collected cysts were identified by morphological and molecular techniques, up to species level based on nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis. According to morphometrics distance between the vulva and anus is very less (65.69 ±22.2) µm. The outcome sequences are showed 95-99.05% similarity with sequence I.D KJ636272.1 from the Netherlands. This survey indicates that PCN Globodera rostochiensis were widely distributed in the potato cultivating fields of Himachal Pradesh. The present study helped determine the distribution of PCN in the soil and species dominance in particular areas. Hence, it helps design different strategies against PCN management.