The cyst nematodes are a major group of plant pathogens of economic importance in many countries throughout the world. Considerable yield losses have been attributed to cyst nematodes attacking potatoes, sugar beet, soybean and cereals. Because of the protective cyst that is formed, which encloses the eggs, they pose special problems in their control and also in preventing their distribution in soil from infested areas. There has been much research on many aspects of the biology of cyst nematodes and the large number of publications are testimony to their importance as crop pests and of the interest of nematologists in the group. Nevertheless, they continue to pose problems because of the complexity of their phylogeny and taxonomy and there is still much to be investigated on their biology, particularly with those aspects which relate to improving the effectiveness of control. In many respects the biology of the various cyst nematode species is similar, although with variations due to different interactions with hosts and geographical location. Thus, research on any one species has general applicability and this is particularly so with regard to evaluation of control measures, or to the methodology of soil sampling for the assessment of populations prior to growing crops.

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is acknowledged globally as a biotic constraint for wheat production, particularly under rain-fed conditions and drought stress. The first meeting of the International Cereal Cyst Nematode Initiative, held 21-23 October 2009 in Turkey, involved over 22 countries and 60 scientists from wheat-growing regions in Asia, Australia, Europe, North Africa and North America. It featured over 50 scientific presentations to provide valuable insight into the impact of CCN.

This book is a compendium of current information on all aspects of these economically important parasites. It provides comprehensive coverage of their biology, management, morphology and diagnostics, in addition to up-to-date information on molecular aspects of taxonomy, host-parasitic relationships and resistance. Written by a team of international experts, Cyst Nematodes will be invaluable to all researchers, lecturers and students in nematology, parasitology, agriculture and agronomy, industries with an interest in chemical and biological control products for management of plant-parasitic nematodes, and any courses, quarantine and advisory services.

The volume focuses on novel and effective biological and biotechnological methods for managing major plant parasitic nematodes in economically important agricultural crops. Nematodes develop a wide variety of interactions with soil microbes and host plants, and cause enormous losses in crop yields equivalent to around USD 173 billion annually. In view of growing concern for pesticide contamination in crops, coupled with ban on several efficacious pesticides, and increasing demand for organic foods, the biological and biotechnological approaches offer a good alternative to chemicals for managing nematode infestations in agricultural crops. The book embodies twenty-two chapters which are arranged in two groups. The first group covers different novel methods of nematode management such as biotechnological, biopesticides, microbial consortia, host resistance, omics technology, transgenics, nano-nematicides, nano-diagnosis, etc. The second groups of chapters describe important nematode problems in major crops such as cereals, vegetables, pulses, spices, wood yielding conifers, etc. Overall, the book collates the latest information on above topics and offers practical solutions to the limitations and challenges in the existing management technologies. This book is of interest and serves up-to-date and elaborated information to agriculture researchers, teachers, scientists, under-graduates, post-graduates, plant nematologists, plant pathologists, plant protectionists, agronomists, horticulturalists, helminthologists, extension workers, and NGOs.

When Franklin published her book on cyst nematodes in 1951, the cyst nematodes were already known as serious pests of brassicas, cereals, potatoes and sugar beets. However, at that time this group of nematode, with about 12 species, was considered tobe largely temperate in distribu tion. Now a total of 105 species (including those that are considered as synonyms or species inquirende by some or all) within six genera of cyst nematodes have been described from temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions and at least five species are important constraints to crop produc tion in tropical agriculture. The previous impression of localization of cyst nematodes in the temperate region was seemingly an artifact due to a greater concentration of nematologists in the temperate regions. Based on my own experience of working in several Asian and African countries, I believe that many more undescribed species are present in the tropical countries of Asia and Africa, and probably in other tropical regions. Most growers, extension workers, and research managers in these regions are still not aware of the possible harm of presence of these nematodes in their agricultural soils. The cyst nematodes are perhaps smaller than the smallest available computer chip but they are very well programmed to survive and pro pagate despite severe hardships. These nematodes are very selective in their choice of food; about 50% of known species are parasites of plants mainly in the families Poaceae and Fabaceae.

Plant parasitic nematodes are major pests of agricultural crops and cause huge monetary losses. There is a very high risk of spread of plant-parasitic nematodes from one country to another, with the movement of plants and planting materials such as seeds, bulbs, corms, suckers, tubers, rhizomes, rooted plants, nursery stock and cut flowers. In view of the large quantities and the wide variety of materials being imported and exported, it is important to assess the status of invasive nematodes and their quarantine importance in relation to agricultural trade. This book contains information on around 100 invasive nematodes and their potential threat in different countries. Each nematode entry includes information on authentic identification, geographical distribution, risk of introduction, host ranges, symptoms, biology, ecology, planting material liable to carry the nematode(s), nematode vectors, chance of establishment, likely impact, and phytosanitary measures. There are detailed accounts of diagnosis procedures including sampling, isolation, detection and identification of nematodes based on morphological and molecular characters. The book offers a global perspective on invasive plant-parasitic nematodes and useful for practitioners, professionals, scientists, researchers, students, and government officials working in plant quarantine and biosecurity.