SURVEY OF NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH DATE-PALM AND CONTROL: Effects of Soil Organic Using Plant Amendments and Management of Nematodes Associated with Date-Palm Using Marigold (Tagetes Erecta L.)

The date-palm fruit is known as ?heavenly fruit? because of its mention in religious scriptures. It contains rich carbohydrates, vitamin B and D, calcium, potassium, iron and other tonic ingredients. It is infested by a number of pathogens including nematodes which eventually reduce its yield. During the present studies eight nematode genera were recorded from the date-palm rhizosphere soil. The influence of soil amendments with plant species Lantana camara, Mirabilis jalapa, Catharanthus roseus, Oscimum basilicum and Tagetes erecta was studied in detail. The information is useful for plant pathologists, students, teachers and research workers in this field of study.