Growth and Sporulation of Nematophagus Fungus Nematoctonus Robustus on Different Media at Different Temperatures.

Nematode trapping fungi captured nematode by forming different types of structure in a way to get supplement of nitrogen from the nematode, just like carnivorous plants. Fungal parasites of nematodes are broadly classified as either predaceous or endoparasitic. The genus Nematoctonus is unique in that some species are endoparasitic and some species are predaceous by established criteria. The generic diagnosis for Nematoctonus was given by Dreschsler that one assimilative hyphae which is hyaline, more or less branched, developing within minute living animals. Growth and sporulation of N.robustus was significantly varied with different temperature on corn meal agar medium. It is evident from results showing the effect of temperature on the biology of N.robustus that 200C was most optimum temperature for both growth and sporulation. With increase in the temperature there is increase in radial growth of this fungus but correspondingly there s decrease in sporulation.

Morphological Characterization and Mass Production of Nematophagous Fungus Nematoctonus Robustus.

The plant parasitic nematodes infect the root tissues of the plant causing root galls that lead to reduced water and mineral uptake in the plant root system. Nematophagous fungus are used as biocontrol for the nematodes. Among those Nematoctonus are one of the species used as bioagent. Nematoctonus species produces an extensive mycelium and capture many nematodes with hour glass shaped adhesive knobs on the hyphae. Nematodes become attached to these adhesive knobs and the cuticle of nematode is penetrated by the infective hyphae. This isolate of Nematoctonus robustus is characterized by hyaline mycelium, dikaryotic in nature containing genetically two different nuclei in each cell, having distinct clamp connection. The fungus has better colonizing ability on natural solid substrates like wheat straw and rice straw. It also show good ability to colonize on different cereal grains and various other waste products like coconut coir and FYM etc. This species is one of the best used for mass production and effective for control of plant parasitic nematodes.