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Nematology in
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Nematology in India
Nematology in India: Frequent
references to human parasitic nematodes can be found in the ancient
Indian scriptures (Vedas, 6000 4000 B C.) under the Sanskrit name 'Krimin'.
According to these books, 'Krimis' (vernacular name for nematodes) were
snake-like worms infesting human intestines and being responsible for
such complications as diarrboea, feverishness, itching, etc. In these
writings, the 'Krimis' have been divided into two broad groups: (1)
visible (the Dristam); and (2) the invisible (Adrishtam). These
organisms have been recorded to be prevailing on hills, jungles, in
medicinal herbs, animals, drinking water, etc.
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The
first authentic report, however, of the presence of any plant
parasitic nematodes in the country was made by Barber in 1901 when
he described root-knot nematodes on tea (Cornelia sinensis)
under the then prevailing name Heterodera radicicola. Between
1901 and 1945, occasional reports appeared recording occurrences of
root-knot as well as other parasitic forms. The main contributors
during this period were Ayyar, Baylis and Mayne and Subramaniam. A
sustained research tempo was built up only in the late fifties with
the scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New
Delhi (IARI); Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and Osmania
University, Hyderabad, taking lead in conducting surveys which
yielded valuable information about the type of nematodes and their
distribution in Indian soils. These activities led to the formation
of organized laboratories at various other agricultural
universities for whole time research in nematology. |
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One of the most
important milestones in the development of nematology in India was
identification of association of cereal root eelworm, Heterodera
avenae, with a wheat disease, locally known as Molya in the
north-western part of the country; it was soon followed by the discovery
of golden nematode of potato in the southern part of the country31.
These two nematode problems posed a serious threat to the cultivation of
the respective crops, resulting into an immediate interest and awareness
amongst the administrators for the need to organize Nematological
research throughout the country. Sections of nematology were added in
the departments of plant pathology and entomology of the Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (IARI) and also at the
Agricultural Research Institute, Coimbatore. At this stage, the
Rockefeller Foundation in India stepped in and arranged consultancy
services of Professor, D.J. Raski of the University of California, and
U.S.A. for IARI, New Delhi. This helped in getting equipments and
training of tie scientists. In 1964, the first training course in
Nematology was organized under the expert supervisions of three eminent
scientists, Late Dr. J.B. Goodey and Dr. F.G.W. Jones from U.K. and Dr.
D.J. Raski from U.S.A. Soon after this, a series of seven
training courses were organized, with the collaboration of the
Netherlands government, at IARI, New Delhi and Aligarh Muslim
University, under the name of South-East Asia Nemaiology Training
Course.
The importance
of nematodes to agriculture was fully appreciated now and full
department status was granted to nematology at the IARI, New Delhi.
India took the lead in world by starting the first post-graduate courses
in the discipline, leading to the award of Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees. The
other agricultural universities of the country followed this lead.
The
need for evaluation of chemical control, under Indian conditions, was
felt and accordingly a FAO sponsored project was started under
the expert supervision of Dr. D.J. Raski of U.S.A. It was possible to
demonstrate a 4-fold increase in yield of wheat and a 16-fold
increase in barley yield in fields infested with 'molya' disease with
the use of DD. Similar trials against other nematode problems and crops
proved very demonstrative, particularly against sugarcane.
A similar
Indo-German collaborative programme was developed for the golden
nematode of potato. These trials were very helpful in bringing about
awareness amongst the cultivators about the nematode problems.
The future
of the nematological research and nematologists was assured with
formation of the Nematological Society of India in 1969 and the
publication of the Indian Journal of Nematology from 1971. The 1AR I,
New Delhi have set up also a National Nematode Collection which has
become one of the important centers for deposition of tppe slides.
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