Comparative Assessment of Soil-Borne Potato Nematodes Across Agro-Ecological Zones and their Implications for Crop Management

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major cash and food crops of Bihar and plays a significant role in the economy of Vaishali district. However, potato production in the region is frequently hampered by soil-borne plant-parasitic nematodes that attack roots, reduce nutrient uptake, and cause severe yield losses. Among these, Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot), Globodera spp. (cyst), and Pratylenchus spp. (lesion) are of primary concern. Despite their importance, there is limited comparative information on nematode diversity, density, and distribution across the district’s varying agro-ecological conditions. This study therefore proposes a comparative assessment of soil-borne potato nematodes in Mahua and Gandak agro-ecological zones of Vaishali, with a focus on their population dynamics, environmental interactions, and implications for crop management.