EFFECT OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON LIFE-CYCLE OF HETERODERA AVENAE INFECTING WHEATAMEETA SHARMA AND P.C. TRIVEDIAbstract Heterodera avenae commonly known as Cereal Cyst nematode causing âMolyaâ disease of wheat and barley dominates in Rajasthan. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) associations with plants are geographically ubiquitous and their eco-friendly role in enhancing resistance in plants is well appreciated, widely studied and reported. Hence, present study was conducted in order to study its effect on the lifecycle of Heterodera avenae on wheat. It was found that AMF delayed H.avenae penetration and development, reduced the number and viability of eggs, and decreased the morphometric dimensions and life-cycle duration in mycorrhizal inoculated roots as compared to non-mycorrhizal roots. Better plant growth was observed in Glomus fasiculatum treated plants as compared to untreated plants. |