Training on 'Nematode Problems in Manipur' concludes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 18 2026: An eight day training programme on "Emerging Nematode Problems in Manipur: A threat to farming community" wrapped up successfully at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Iroisemba, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal on Monday.

Organised by the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Nematodes in Agriculture, Imphal Centre, and funded by ICAR-AICRP on Nematodes in Agriculture, LARI, New Delhi, the initiative targeted Assistant Agriculture Officers, Agriculture Officers, and District Officers from Manipur's Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Soil Conservation.

Coordinated by Dr Kshetrimayum Sumita, Principal Investigator at AICRP (Nematodes), CAU Imphal Centre, the programme equipped participants with vital skills to combat plant-parasitic nematodes.

The training covered key areas, including discussions on plant parasitic nematodes, their morphology, and impact on crops.

It highlighted symptoms of nematode infestations, often linked to other pathogens like Fusarium in guava and pomegranate.

Slide presentations showcased nematode pests affecting local crops like rice, veggies (tomato, brinjal, okra), pulses (green gram, blackgram), spices (u-morok, chilli), and fruits (banana, papaya).

The programme blended theory with practicals, letting participants observe live nematode samples and root-knot nematode life stages under microscopes.

The training stressed actionable management strategies, such as crop rotation, deep summer ploughing, intercropping with marigold and mustard, and applications of bio-control agents, organic amendments like neem or castor oil cake, and neem oil.

Participants learned to inspect plant roots promptly when above-ground symptoms emerge, enabling precise disease diagnosis.

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