Nematode infestation in cotton fields often manifests as uneven, patchy growth across the field, frequently mistaken for nutrient deficiency or drought stress. Reniform nematodes do not produce large visible galls, but their semi-endoparasitic feeding destroys root cortical tissue and stunts root systems.
Root-knot nematodes cause distinct galls on cotton feeder roots and often form a deadly complex with Fusarium wilt, causing complete plant death. Severely affected cotton plants exhibit reduced vigor, smaller bolls, poor lint turnout, and decreased fiber quality.
Effective management involves bio-seed dressing before sowing, applying bio-nematicides like Purpureocillium lilacinum and Pseudomonas fluorescens into seed furrows, incorporating neem cake into soil during land preparation, and rotating with non-host crops like corn or sorghum.
