Studies on Nematodes and Mycorrhizza Association at Rhizospheric Zone of Paddy in South 24 Parganas

Rice is the most important staple food of India. Nematode is considered as serious pest of paddy, may cause up to 80% yield losses (Kantor et. al., 2022). Diversity of nematodes along with mycorrhiza associations at rhizospheric zone of paddy in all the 29 blocks of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India was studied. The edaphic factors i.e., soil pH, temperature, salinity, organic carbon content, potassium, phosphate, nitrogen etc. are also measured during the study. The study explored 22 species and 46 genera of nematodes belonging to 5 orders. During study it is observed that the saline and sandy soil with basic pH, least quantity of organic matter and high quantity of potassium, mycorrhizas are generally absent there. But other soil varieties like loamy, clay and alluvial etc. with pH level 5-7, high organic matter and nitrogen, extensive nematode-mycorrhiza connotation persists. High quantity of mycorrhiza exposes low quantity of nematode population. Mycorrhiza is good bio-fertilizer and eco-friendly bio-control measure, holding sustainable development (Field et al., 2020). It also creates suitable microenvironment that helps to take entry of other nematophagous fungi (Zhang et. al., 2020); which helps to control plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) (Poveda, 2020; Lawal.et al., 2022). Mycorrhiza culture is very cheap and it can be used as bio-control agent against plant parasitic nematodes in paddy fields. It may help to enhance rice production and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 i.e., ＂Zero Hunger＂ and Goal 3 i.e., ＂Good Health and Well-Being＂ with new source of employments.