Nematodes Associated with Kiwi Plants in Central Horticulture Centre Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Plants provide space for the occurrence of different trophic groups of nematodes. The occurrence of nematodes near the rhizosphere of plants, such as parasitic, free-living etc. can determine the survival of plants and finally the production of plants. Altogether 40 samples from the 30 cm apart from the kiwi plants were tested to identify the distribution of nematodes in Kiwi plants at Central Horticulture Centre, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. All together 10 genera of nematodes including both free living/beneficial and parasitic were identified during the study period. Overall, 830 individuals of 10 nematodes were found to be associated with Kiwi plants, among them order Rhabditida was reported to be the highest (40.96%) which was followed by Mononchida (33.74%), Dorylaimida (15.66%) and Tylenchida (9.64%). These four genera of plant nematodes have been reported for the first time associated with Kiwi plants in Nepal. The result indicated that the nematodes are not significantly distributed in all Kiwi plants. For more production we recommend proper management of manures and Kiwi plants treatment