This text is an overall view of nematology because I believe the science should be treated as a unified discipline. The differences in the biological habits of nematodes do not justify the separation of plant nematologists and animal nematologists, since the separation is not a reflection of any difIerences inherent to nematodes. Therefore, the book is arranged with a format that in the beginning chapters illustrates the similarities and se- quence of development of morphological characters among nematodes regardless of their biological habits. The later chapters illustrate the in- tegration of the evolutionary development of the parasitie habit from related free-living forms. Nematology is probably the last major discipline to establish its inde- pendence from the parent science of zoology. This natural evolvement of nematology has occurred because of the overwhelming accumulation of sophisticated information and research that reflects the unique relation- ships of nematodes to other forms of plant and animal life as weH as their relationships in other facets of the environment.N ematodes are inverte- brate animals that, like insects, are unusual in their great numbers and varieties, their smaH size (generally microscopic), their high degree of internal organization, and their virtually ubiquitous distribution. They oc- cupy almost every ecological niehe, often causing disease of humans, other animals, and plants. These activities often result in debility, death, or in the impairment and loss of food supply with consequent loss to producers and consumers.

Nematodes that are parasites of insects are no longer a laboratory curiosity. They have begun to be accepted as environmentally benign alternatives to the use of chemical insecticides, for the control of insect pests. Nematode worms are now applied as biological control agents against insectpests of numerous horticultural and agricultural crops. This book provides a comprehensive review of entomopathogenic nematology. It begins by reviewing fundamental biology and setting a taxonomic foundation for nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. Several chapters are devoted to functionalprocesses involved in parasitism and to nematode ecology. Later chapters describe technological advances and control methodologies.

This book gives a comprehensive account of all aspects of plant nematology and should be of profound help to the students, teachers, researchers and extension workers alike. The syllabus of ARS Net – Nematology has also been fully covered in this book. Hence, persons appearing for ARS Net – Nematology can also refer this book. The book is divided into eight sections. The first section describes the importance of nematodes in agriculture, presents a historical review, nematode as biological models, entomopathogenic nematodes, and lists the professional societies and their publications.Information on the nematological techniques is outlined in section two.The morphology of nematodes is described and presented in clear schematic drawings in section three. The taxonomic classification along with keys for identification of nematodes up to generic level is provided. In section four, the biology, physiology and ecology of nematodes are described.The host-parasite interactions and symptoms on aerial and under-ground infestation by different nematodes are described and depicted in many photographs in section five. In section six, the interrelationships between nematodes and fungi, bacteria and viruses are discussed.Management of nematode diseases by host resistance and by suppression of nematode population through regulatory, physical, cultural, chemical, biological, and integrated methods have been presented in section seven.The last section of the book discusses the most important nematode induced diseases of horticultural, plantation and spices, commercial and field crops and their management. The selected references provide convenient entry to both current and older literature. Very useful information in the form of common names of nematodes and a glossary of nematological terms are provided in Annexures. This book will give students, teachers, researchers and extension workers with an overview of the entire field of Plant Nematology.

Nematology being an established discipline covers a wide range of area ranging from basic aspect to the advanced and applied aspects involving recent advances in molecular techniques. This book discusses the following topics: the role of nematodes in our life (in agriculture, ecosystem functioning, experimental biology, ecological studies, pest management programs, or biocontrol), identification of GRSPs in nematode genomes, novel way for the diagnosis of pathogenic nematodes involving various recent molecular techniques, other methodologies for successful control of termites, evolution of plant-parasitic nematodes, viability of adult filarial nematode parasites, the impact of plant-parasitic nematodes on crops, and harnessing useful rhizosphere microorganisms for nematode control. The book also encompasses on classical study, molecular study, bioinformatics in nematology, biodiversity analysis, and culturing of nematodes in laboratory condition.