Question: Which of the following nematodes is responsible for the characteristic profuse tillering (excessive branching) and crinkled leaves seen in wheat crops?
Options:
Heterodera avenae
Meloidogyne sp.
Anguina tritici
All of these
• Anguina tritici is a plant-parasitic nematode commonly known as the wheat gall nematode or seed gall nematode. It infects wheat plants, causing characteristic symptoms such as:
Profuse tillering: The infected plant produces excessive numbers of tillers (side shoots), giving it a bushy appearance.
Crinkled leaves: The leaves of the infected plant become distorted, twisted, and crinkled.
Galls: The nematode induces the formation of galls (abnormal growths) in the wheat heads, replacing the grains with these structures.