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Anand Agricultural University, Anand

Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.

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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA, PATHOTYPE 2, ON FENNEL
    (AAU, Anand, 1995) Patel, Pankajkumar B.; Patel, D. J.
    Experiments on root-knot nematode,. Meloidogyne javanica , Pathotype 2 affecting fennel were conducted to study i, Pathogenicity of M. javanica , Pathotype 2 to determine threshold level in terms of plant growth characters and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S nutrients by plants, ii, biochemical changes induced by nematode infection in the crop, ill, histopathological studies to know host-parasite relationship and iv, effect of nematode infection on seed germination, plant growth and crop yield during 1994-95. The salient findings are : i, An inoculum level of 100 J2/plant and above was detrimental to the growth and development of fennel cv. PF 35. Root, soil and total nematode population/plant significantly increased progressively with an increase in nematode population from 10 to 10,000 J2/plant. Nematode reproduction rate was maximum (76.70) in the level of 10 J2/plant and minimum (3.22) in 10,000 J2/plant. ii, Biochemical changes induced by nematode feeding on fennel roots indicated that roots inoculated with 10, 100, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 J2/plant had significantly less peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and total phenol content over control-uninoculated plant roots. ill, Histopathological studies revealed that after invasion, second stage larvae penetrated the epidermal cells and migrated both inter and intracellularly and anchored to the vascular tissues. Giant cells consisted of uneven thickened, unbroken walls, dense cytoplasm and clusters of nuclei. Pathological reaction included abnormal xylem located in the vascular tissues. All nematode stages were found inside the root tissues feeding on vascular region. The healthy tissue showed no change in epidermal cells and cortex region of roots, iv, Study on effect of M. .iavanica. Pathotype 2 on seed germination and plant growth development and root-knot index on fennel cv. PF 35 indicated that nematode infested soil significantly reduced fennel seed germination, plant height, fresh shoot and root weights by 12.30, 29.60, 3.98 and 17.09 % respectively over control-steam sterilized soil. Infested soil had 116.30 % increased root-knot index over control. V, Inoculation of M. javanica, Pathotype 2 at 2000 J2/kg soil significantly decreased plant height and grain yield of fennel cv. PF 35 by 19.83 and 26.51% respectively, while root-knot index and reproduction rate were significantly increased by 59.01 and 58.88 % respectively over control-steam sterilized soil. vi, Application of Dazoraet (Basamid 98 G @ 1 g/pot) significantly increased plant height and grain yield of fennel cv. PF 35 by 18.61 and 36.09 % respectively and root-knot index has significantly, reduced by 59.01 % due to Dazomet application over control-no nematicidal treatment.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUNT NEMATODE, TYLENCHORHYNCHUS VULGARIS UPADHYAY et al., 1972 ON BIDI TOBACCO
    (AAU, Anand, 1989) PATEL, ASHOKKUMAR SHIVRAMBHAI; Patel, H. R.
    Study on comparative effect of Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris on seedling development of bidi tobacco Anand 119 (A 119) and - Gujarat Tobacco 5 (GT 5) showed that surface inoculation of the nematode reduced the fresh weight (10.91 per cent) and number of transplants (13.87 per cent) with higher multiplication (5.40 per cent) in A 119 than GT 5. Initial inoctaum of 1,000 nematodes and above/pot/15 kg soil adversely affected the seedling development with significant reduction in number of transplants by 39 per cent over check. Final population of the nematode was significantly increased with corresponding increase in initial inoculum levels with a trend of increased inoculum levels to decrease the reproduction rate. Interaction (V X I) revealed initial inoculum of 100 and 1,000 nematodes and above/pot/15 kg soil reduced the number of transplants significantly in A 119 and GT 5 respectively than their respective checks; while, final population of the nematode was higher in all inoculum levels of A 119 than respective inoculum levels of GT 5 showing more preference of the nematode to A 119 than GT 5. Coinparative pathogenicity of T, vulgaris on transplants of A 119 and GT 5 revealed variety GT 5 as significantly superior to A 119 in plant growth and nicotine content with less multiplication of the nematode by 4.69 per cent over A 119. Initial inoculum of 1,000 nematodes and above/plant/ 700 g soil significantly reduced the plant growth (except shoot dry weight) and nicotine content compared to check. Observations on final nema population exhibited the same trend as on seedlings in above experiment. Studies on biochemical changes revealed that with increase in age of A 119 and GT 5, the peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities were increased. Both these activities with phenol content were slightly higher in A 119 compared to GT 5. Increase in inoculum of the stunt nematode on seedling and transplant of A 119 and GT 5 correspondingly increased the peroxidase activity and total phenol content (except seedling); while, it decreased the polyphenol oxidase activity after 45 and 100 days. Inoculation of 1,000 nematodes/plant revealed nine varieties of tobacco viz., A 145, Coker 254, FCH 6005 (Bhavya), GC 1, GT 4, GT 5, VA 145, VA 770 and 16-103 as tolerant three viz., A 119, GT 6 and VFC special as susceptible and variety A2 as intolerant after 45 days. Inoculation of 1,000 nematodes/plant revealed brinjal (Doli 5) and tobacco (A 119) as excellent and good hosts of T. vulgaris respectively; while, cabbage (Golden acre), cauliflower (Early Kunwari), castor (GCH 2), maize (Ganga safed 2), Wheat (Sonalika), tobacco (GC 1 and GT 5) as moderate/ fair hosts; fennel (PF 35), garlic (Local), mustard (Varuna), sesamum (Gujarat 1) and white and pink flower periwinkle (Local) as poor hosts after 45 days. Carbofuran, ethoprophos, FMC67825H0E 388 and phorate each @ 1,2 and 5 kg/ha significantly improved the plant growth of bidi tobacco and reduced the final population of the nematode. Ethoprophos was most effective followed by carbofuran and phorate in improving plant growth; while, carbofuran was most effective followed by ethoprophos and FMC 67825 in reducing final population of the nematode. Among the doses, higher dose of 3 kg/ha was most effective than lower doses. Interaction (N: x D) revealed carbofuran @ 3 kg/ha was most effective in improving plant grovrth and reducing the final population of the nematodes followed by ethoprophos @ 3 kg/ha. Application of organic amendments viz., neem, mustard, castor, piludi, karanj and mahuva cakes, poultry manure, pulverized Azolla. dry Azolla. farm yard manure, press mud and ash of paddy husk @ 45 kg N/ha revealed that mustard cake proved the best in improving fresh weight of shoot closely followed by poultry manure, mahuva, karanj, piludi cakes, press mud and castor cake; while castor cake was the best in reducing the final population of the nematode followed by neem cake, poultry manure and piludi cake.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN POPULATIONS OF PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH BIDI TOBACCO
    (AAU, Anand, 1982) PATEL, BHAGABHAI A.; Thakar, N. A.
    An experiment to study the population fluctuations in plant parasitic nematodes on bidi tobacco revealed the presence of nine species of plant parasitic nematodes viz. Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Duotylenchus bilineatus, Trlenchorhynchus brevilineatus, Aphelenchoides parascalacaudatus, Aphelenchus avenae, Ditylenchus triformis and Pratylenchus zeae. Duotylenchus bilineatus was reported for the first time to associate with tobacco in India and abroad.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF THE STUNT NEMATODE, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris UPADHYAY et al., 1972 ON WHEAT AND ITS CONTROL
    (AAU, Anand, 1987) PATEL, PANKAJKUMAR NARANBHAI; Thakar, N. A.
    A pathogenicity study of the stunt nematode, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris on wheat variety J-24 with different inoculum levels viz. 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 nematodes per plant/pot of 600 g soil keeping uninoculated control as check revealed the inoculum levels of 1,000 and above to reduce significantly the different growth attributes viz. shoot length, fresh shoot and root weights compared with control. In the growth character of root length, the inoculum level of 100 nematodes per plant was also significantly detrimental. The soil population at harvest in soil increased with increase in inoculum levels. However, the reproduction factor was found to increase with increase in initial inoculum levels up to 100 nematodes, while it was decreased with increase in initial inoculum levels of 1,000 and above nematodes per plant. Testing of four systemic granular nematicides viz, Phenarniphos Phorate, Carbofuran and Ethoprophos as soil application with their three doses of 1, 2 and 3 kg/ha against T, vulgaris on wheat variety sonalika resulted all the nematicides at their three doses to increase all the growth attributes under the study except productive tillers and reduced the nematode population significantly over control (no nematicidal treatment). Amongst 4 systemic nematicides under the study, Phorate was the raostp effective in increasing the growth characters except total and productive tillers while, ethoprophos was the least effective. The nematicides carbofuran and phenamiphos were in between these two in their effectiveness in improving the growth characters. The nematicide phenamiphos was found to be the most effective, while ethoprophos was the least effective in reducing the nematode popxilation, Nematicides phorate and carbofuran were moderately effective in reducing the nematode population. Amongst three doses tried, the growth characters of shoot weight and root weight were increased with an increase in doses from 1 to 3 kg/ha, the doses of 2 and 3 kg/ha being at par with each other. The nematode population at harvest decreased with an increase in the doses of different nematicides. Amongst twelve interactions (N x L) phenamiphos 1 & 2 kg, phorate 1, 2 & 3 kg, carbofuran 2 & 3 kg and ethoprophos @ 3 kg/ha were observed to be effective in increasing the shoot length, fresh shoot weight and fresh root weight, while the total and productive tillers were significantly not affected. Except phenamiphos, all the nematicides increased the growth characters with an increase in their doses. In case of phenamiphos, the growth characters were decreased with an increase in its doses which might be due to sane toxic effects of the same on wheat, Phenamiphos @3kg/ha was found to be the most effective in reducing the nematode population followed by phenamiphos 2 kg, phorate 3 kg and carbofuran @ 3 kg/ha. The treatments of ethoprophos 1 kg, carbofuran 1 kg, phorate 1 kg and ethoprophos @ 2 kg/ha were the least effective in nematode reduction. Testing of different organic soil amendments viz, neem cake, mustard cake, castor cake, piludi cake, karanj cake, poultry mainure, azolla dry and green and farm yard manure with urea as soil application @ 120 kg N/ha on the basis of nitrogen availability to control T. vulgaris on Wheat variety sonalika resulted green and dry azolla and mustard cake to increase different growth characters viz, shoot weight, root weight, total tillers and productive tillers significantly over control. Soil treatments with green and dry azolla were found to be the most effective in reducing the nematode population also in soil . The next most effective was mustard cake. Castor cake, Piludi cake. Poultry manure and Neem cake were the least effective, while the remaining treatments of karanj cake, farm yard manure and urea were moderately effective in reducing the nematode population.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    CHEMICAL BARE ROOT-DIP TREATMENTS IN THE CONTROL OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES, MELOIDOGYNE SPP. INFECTING BIDI TOBACCO
    (AAU, Anand, 1983) PATEL, ASHOK D.; THAKAR, N. A.
    A.Emulsifiable concentrates: From the study on the effect of different nematicides with different controls it was concluded that control one where there was no nematode inoculum not a single nematicide was proved effective either in control of nematodes or increasing different growth characters. In control two having only the soil inoculum different nematicides also could not the root nema population significantly. However, phenamiphos and isofenphos increased the shoot and root weight respectively. In control three where there was only the seedling inoculum phenamiphos, isofenphos, oxamyl, demeton-s-methyl, phosphamidon and quinalphos controlled the root nema population.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    INTERACTION BETWEEN Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris AND Pythium aphanidermatum ON BIDI TOBACCO
    (AAU, Anand, 1993) Patel, Sunilkumar Bhikhabhai; Patel, H. R.
    Studies on determination of initial inoculum levels of P.aphanidermatum causing damping-off in bidi tobacco cv, A 119 revealed that initial inoculum levels of 5.0mg mycelial suspension or above per pot significantly reduced the seed germination (63.39 per cent and nusnber of bidi tobacco seedlings (60,00 per cent) over control. The inoculum levels of 1.0 and 2.5 mg mycelial suspension though reduced seed germination and number of seedlings remained at par with control. Studies on interaction between T. vulgaris and P. aphanidermatum on bidi tobacco cv. A 119 was carried out using two levels of the fungus viz., P1 (2.5 mg fungus) and P2 (5.0 mg fungus) and two levels of the nematode N1 (1000 nematodes) and N2( 2000 nematodes) alongwith control. The results on interaction between T. vulgaris and P. aphanidermatum showed more or less additive effect in reducing the seed germination compared to their individual levels.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    RENIFORM NEMATODE, ROTYLENCHULUS RENIFORMIS LINFORD AND OLIVEIRA. 1940, IN PIGEONPEA
    (AAU, Anand, 1989) PATEL, RAVINDRA GOVINDBHAI; PATEL, D. J.
    The experiments on reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) affecting pigeonpea were conducted to study 1, Pathogenicity of reniform nematode on pigeonpea to determine threshold level, ii. Biochemical changes brought out by the nematode infection in crop, iii, Histopathological studies to know host-parasite relationship, iv. Varietal screening for locating source(s) of resistance to the nematode and V, Management of nematode through organic amendments and nematicides using pigeonpea variety T-15-15 during 1988-89. Results obtained indicated that : i. An inoculum level of 1,000 nematodes/plant and above was detrimental to the growth and development of pigeonpea cv. T-15-15. Root, soil and total nematode population/plant an significantly increased with increase in an inoculum levels. The nematode reproduction rate decreased with increase in inoculum levels and it was maximum (48.71) in 10 nematodes/ plant and minimum (2.79) in 10,000 nematodes/plant. ii. Roots inoculated with reniform nematodes (10,000 nematodes/plant) significantly decreased polyphenol oxidase and β -glucosidase activities as well as total phenol contents whereas peroxidase activity did not get altered due to nematode infection. iii, Histopathological studies revealed that young female penetrated the epidermal and cortical parenchyma tissues and reached the endodermal layers intracellularly through parenchyma. The one third anterior portion of the female remained embedded in the root. Several cells of pericycle layer surrounding feeding of nematode head formed giant cells. iv. Out of 30 different pigeonpea varieties screened against R. reniformis, none was either immune or resistant or moderately resistant to the nematode. Eighteen and twelve lines had susceptible and highly susceptible reactions respectively. V. Various organic amendments viz., piludi cake, mustard cake, karanj cake, castor cake, mahuva cake as well as pressmud, poultry and farm yard manure and normal fertilization through urea improved plant growth and reduced nematode population as compared to control in pots. Poultry manure proved to be the best from plant growth characters and nematode control view points. The next best organic amendment was pressmud. vi. All eight granular nematicides viz., ethoprophos, sebufos, phorate, HOE 388, benfurocarb, cartap, neemark and carbofuran tried with two doses at 1 and 2 kg/ha enhanced the plant growth and reduced the nematode population as compared to control. Among these, carbofuran and HOE 388 each @ 2 kg/ha and benfurocarb @ 1 kg/ha significantly improved the plant growth characters viz., plant height, fresh shoot and root weights and effectively managed R. reniformis on pigeonpea cv. T-15-15 in pots.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne javanica (Pathotype 2) ON GROUNDNUT cv. GG 20
    (AAU, Anand, 1998) Patel, Somabhai Keshavlal; Patel, D. J.
    The experiments on root-knot nematode, MeloidoQ/ne javanica (Pathotype 2), attacking groundnut cv. GG 20 were conducted with respect to i. pathogenicity of root-knot nematode, M. javanicapt.2 on groundnut cv. GG 20 to determine threshold level in terms of plant growth character and nematode reproduction; ii. effect of M. javanica pt 2 on uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S nutrients by plant; iii. effect of M. javanica pt. 2 infection on meteorological parameters viz., leaf temperature, diffusion resistance and transpiration rate in groundnut; iv. histopathological studies to know host-parasite relationship in groundnut; v. biochemical changes induced by M. javanica pt 2 infection in groundnut; vi, effect of interaction between M. javanica pt 2 and Aspergillus niger on groundnut; vii. effect of interaction between M. javanica pt.2 and Rhizobium sp. on groundnut and viii. determination of avoidable yield losses due to M. javanica pt2 on groundnut in pots as well as field, during kharif, 1996 through kharif 1997. The saHent findings are as under : i) An inoculiun level of 100 M. javanica pt2 J2 and above/plant proved detrimental to the growth and development of groundnut cv. GG 20. The nematode population significantly increased progressively with an increase in nematode inoculum levels from 10 to 10,000 M. javanica pt.2 J2 /plant. Nematode reproduction rate was maximum of 4801.0 times in the level of 10 J2 /plant while it was minimum of 10.7 times in the highest level of 10,000 J2 /plant. ii) Uptake of various nutrients viz., N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S by groundnut cv. GG 20 was significantly reduced with an increase in inoculum levels from 10 to 10,000 J2 /plant Control plants had significantly more uptake of all the nutrients over other treatments of various nutrients, uptake of N, K and Mg was much more reduced by M javanica pt.2 infection than P, Ca and S nutrients. iii) Infection of M. javanica pt 2 induced significant increase in leaf temperature and diffusion resistance with proportionately decrease in transpiration rate with an increase in nematode inoculum levels in groundnut cv. GG 20. iv) Histopathological and cytological studies revealed that after root invasion, nematodes penetrated epidermal cells and migrated both inter and intra cellularly reaching to cortex region and anchored adjacent to the vascular tissues resulting in rupturing and degeneration of epidermic cells and cortical layers of roots. All different nematode stages were found inside infected root tissues feeding on vascular portion, while no abnormalities of root tissues were observed in healthy roots. Infected tissues exhibited hypertrophy. uneven thickening of cell walls and granular protoplasm with enlarged nuclei and nucleoli. Multinucleate condition of giant cells was also observed. v) Studies on biochemical changes induced by M javanica pt.2 indicated that roots inoculated with 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 J2 /plant had progressively more peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities and total phenol contents. These activities increased progressively with an increase in nematode inoculum levels over uninoculated control roots. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll contents also decreased due to increase in M.javanica pt2 infection levels. vi) Study on interaction between M javanica pl2 and Aspergillus niger indicated neutral type of effects for plant growth diaracters. When both the pathogens inoculated simultaneously, there was more depressing effects on plant growth and development than that of fungus inoculation alone. Thus, nematode inoculation @ 1,000 and 2,000 J2 /plant played a vital role in predisposing host roots to the attack and aggravation of A. niger fungus on groundnut cv. GG 20. vii) Study conducted on interaction between M javanica pt 2 and Rhizobhun sp. revealed that the presence of M. javanica pt 2 significantly recfaiced number of nodules/plant over Rhizobiiun alone and control treatments. This clearly indicated that M. javanica pt.2 infection adversely affected N fixation by Rhizobium bacteria on groundnut cv. GG 20. viii) Application of Phenamiphos @ 2 kg/ha and Dazomet @ 400 kg/ha significantly increeised plant height, fresh and dry shoot weights over control in pots. Phenamiphos was more effective than Dazomet. However, fresh and dry root weights were more in control (untreated) plants due to heavy root galling and egg sac formation on roots. RKI was minimum in Phenamiphos followed by Dazomet treatment. Nematode reproduction rate was maximum of 37.1 times in control (untreated) plants while it was minimum of 2.2 times and 2.7 times in Phenamiprfios and Dazomet treatments, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that nematicides Phenamiphos and Dazomet proved very effective in management of M. javanica pt.2. ix) Under field condition, soil application of Phenamiphos @ 2 kg/ha under the crop row at the time of seeding effectively increased dry pod and fodder yields by 42.6 and 25.7% with reduction in RKI and final nematode population by 60.7 and 63.7% respectively, incurring 30.0 and 20.4% yield loss with monetary loss of Rs. 5025=00 and Rs. 1375=00 in dry pod and fodder yields of groundnut cv. GG 20 respectively over control.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUNT NEMATODE, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris, UPADHYAY et al., 1972, ON MAIZE
    (AAU, Anand, 1997) Singh, Uma Shankar; PATEL, D. J.
    The experiments on stunt nematode, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris, affecting maize were conducted to study i, pathogenicity of stunt nematode, T. vulgaris, on maize cv. Farm Sameri to determine threshold level in terms of plant growth characters, nematode reproduction and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S nutrients by plant; ii, biochemical changes induced by nematode infection in crop; iii, histopathological studies to know host-parasite relationship in crop; iv, effect of meteorological parameters viz. leaf temperature, diffusion resistance and transpiration rate due to stunt nematode, T.vulgaris, infection in maize cv. Farm Sameri; v, effect of stunt nematode, T.vulgaris, infection on seed germination, seedling emergence, plant growth development and nematode reproduction on maize cv. Farm Sameri in pots; vi, estimation of avoidable yield losses due to stunt nematode, T.vulgaris, in maize in pots as well as field; vii, interaction between stunt nematode, T. vulgaris and stalk rot fungus, Fusarium moniliforme, on maize cv. Farm Sameri and viii, evaluation of different maize varieties / hybrids for source (s) of resistance against stunt nematode, T. vulgaris, during 1994-95 and 1995-96. The salient findings are as under : i. An inoculum level of 1000 nematodes and above / plant proved detrimental to the growth and development of maize cv. Farm Sameri (FS). The nematode population / plant significantly increased progressively with an increase in nematode inoculum from 10 to 10,000 nematodes / plant. Nematode reproduction rate was maximum (61.7 times) in the level of 10 nematodes / plant and minimum (7.2 times) in 10,000 nematodes / plant. Uptake of various nutrients viz. N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S by maize cv. FS significantly reduced with an increase in inoculum levels from 100 to 10,000 nematodes / plant. Control plants had significantly more uptake of all the nutrients over other treatments. ii. Biochemical changes induced by stunt nematode feeding on maize roots indicated that roots inoculated with 10, 100, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 nematodes / plant had progressively more peroxidase and total phenol contents, whereas polyphenol oxidase proportionately decreased with an increase in nematode inoculum levels over control (uninoculated) roots, Histopathological studies revealed that after root invasion, nematodes penetrated epidermal root cells. Due to migratory ectoparasitic feeding habit, the only apparent damage to roots due to nematode feeding was disarrangement of organisation of root cap cells. A collapse of some epidermal cells was also noticed. Roots attacked by nematodes generally appeared darken than roots from sterilized soil. No nematodes were observed inside root tissues. Observations recorded on meteorological parameters revealed that infection of T.vulgaris caused significant increase in leaf temperature and diffusion resistance with proportionately decrease in transpiration rate with an increase in nematode inoculum levels in maize cv. FS, Study on effect of stunt nematodes on seed germination, overall plant growth development, leaf chlorophyll contents and nematode reproduction on maize cv. FS indicated that there was no significant difference in seed germination at 15th day of seeding but sprouting of seeds was delayed in nematode infested soils over uninfested steam sterilized soils even after 7 days of seeding.