Unit 1: History and Economic Importance
History and economic importance of nematology; Diseases caused by plant-parasitic nematodes symptomatology, biology, distribution and management of plant parasitic nematodes of economic importance (Pratylenchus, Radopholus, Hirschmanniella, Meloidogyne, Heterodera, Globodera, Rotylenchulus, Tylenchulus, Ditylenchus, Anguina, Aphelenchoides, Tylenchorhynchus, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Scutellonema, Paratylenchus, etc.). Entomopathogenic nematodes.
Unit 2: Nematode Taxonomy and Morphology
Principles and concepts of taxonomy. Rules of nomenclature. Nematode phylogeny and systematics. Molecular taxonomy. Classification of soil and plant-parasitic nematodes and their relationships with other related phyla. Detailed classification of plant-parasitic nematodes up to generic level with emphasis on genera of economic importance. General morphology and anatomy of nematodes. Various systems: digestive, excretory, nervous, reproductive etc., developmental biology of nematodes.
Unit 3: Nematological Techniques
Methods of extraction of nematodes from soil and plant material. Microscopy principles and types including electron microscopes. Methods of killing, fixing, preserving, staining, mounting and measuring of nematodes. Techniques for histopathology and culturing of nematodes - plant parasitic, entomophilic and saprophytic including axenic methods. Experimental techniques for proving pathogenicity, estimation of crop losses, nematicide screening, screening and evaluation for nematode resistance in crops. Molecular techniques for nematode diagnosis. Techniques for mass culturing of nematode antagonistic bioagents.
Unit 4: Nematode Ecology
Ecological classification and distribution of nematodes. Mode of nematode dispersal. Adaptations to parasite mode of life. Soil as environment for nematodes. Effect of biotic and abiotic factors on nematode survival, activity and reproduction. Nematode population dynamics. Nematode-induced plant damage and modeling. Community analysis.
Unit 5: Plant Nematode Relationships
Types of parasitism in nematodes. Nature of damage caused by various groups of plant parasitic nematodes and mechanisms involved. Pathotypes in nematodes. Mechanism of nematode resistance and tolerance in plants and its assessment. Physiological, biochemical and molecular changes in plants due to nematode infections.
Unit 6: Nematode Physiology and Cytology
Chemical composition of nematodes. Principles of nematode physiology. Physiological functions of cell; organelles. Physiology of respiration, digestion, excretion, reproduction, growth and development. Physiology of muscular, nervous and sensory responses. Physiology of moulting, hatching and nematode survival. Chemoreception in nematodes. Nematode as biological models - Caenorhabditis elegans. Cytological changes in plants due to infection including formation of feeding cells such as syncytia and giant cells.
Unit 7: Nematode Management
Principles and methods of nematode management - physical, cultural, biological, chemical and legislative. Nematicides (including those of biological origin) - history, classification, formulations, application and mode of action. Host resistance for nematode management. Integrated nematode management. Role of biotechnology, nematode genomics and transcriptomics in nematode management.
Unit 8: Interactions of Nematodes with Soil Organisms
Importance of interactions (interrelationships) of nematodes with soil organisms. Interactions of nematodes with bacteria, fungi, viruses, mycorrhizae and other nematodes. Nematodes as vectors of viruses and other microorganisms.
Unit 9: Statistics
Frequency distribution. Measures of central tendency and dispersion: mean, median, mode, standard deviation etc. Population distributions - normal, binomial and poisson. Correlations: partial and multiple. Tests of significance: t, F and Chi square tests. Experimental designs - randomized block, Latin square and split plot designs, their analysis and interpretation.
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