~ 385 ~  Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2015; 3(6): 385-391 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2015; 3(6): 385-391 © 2015 JEZS Received: 17-10-2015 Accepted: 18-11-2015 Ijaz Ahmad Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Saifullah Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Musharaf Ahmad Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Ijaz Ahmad Khan Department of Weed Science, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Rifat Ali Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Aqleem Abbas Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Mehran Khan Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Abbas Ali Department of Weed Science, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Correspondence Ijaz Ahmad Department of Plant Pathology The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. Incidence of root-knot nematode in winter weeds of tomato in Malakand division – Pakistan Ijaz Ahmad, Saifullah, Musharaf Ahmad, Ijaz Ahmad Khan, Rifat Ali, Aqleem Abbas, Mehran Khan, Abbas Ali Abstract This study was conducted to find the incidence of root knot nematode (M. javanica) in winter weeds of tomato at the root knot infested areas of Dargai and Jabban in Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. For this purpose survey was conducted on 20 fields of each region and the fifteen weed plants were checked for galls caused by M. javanica on their roots. Weeds samples from these regions were bagged and labeled properly and brought to the Department of Weed Science, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar Pakistan for identification. The nematode was also identified by perennial pattern. Galls were observed on commonly occurring fifteen weeds. Incidence of M. javanica on Cannabis sativa was at the range of 9.9-11.9%, while it was 33.3% on Digitaria sanguinalis. The highest incidence of M. javanica were recorded on the roots of Fumeria indica (21.05-43.47%). Moreover the incidence of M. javanica on Rumex crispus and Melilotus indica was 22.72% and 22.13% respectively. However no galls (No incidence) of M. javanica were found on Asphodelus tenuifolius. Our finding demonstrates that M. javanica is a damaging pathogen of winter weeds of tomato in Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Keywords: Galls, M. javanica, root knot nematode, incidence, winter weeds. 1. Introduction Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is one of the extensively consumed crops. It is grown as winter as well as summer vegetable all over the world [1] . Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Kpk) Province of Pakistan, greatly contributes towards tomato production especially winter tomato and meets the demands of local markets and adjacent areas. However, this division is heavily infested with root knot nematodes [2] . However its soil and environmental conditions are suitable for the production of tomatoes [3] . Nematode parasitism of tomatoes is highly damaging and uncontrollable problem. Nematodes occur almost in all types of soil. In Pakistan, climate and sandy soil favor the development and activities of nematodes [4] . Most damaging obligate endoparasites are the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne sp) and cyst nematodes (Heterodera and Globodera sp.). Root-knot nematodes are one of the major causes of yield losses [5] . Crop losses of 13-38% have been reported in sub-tropics and tropics [6] . Root knot nematodes cause losses of US$ 125 billion per annum. Root-knot nematode cause poor growth, yield, quality, and can break the resistance of host plant and expose them to other pathogens [7] . In Pakistan, 40% yield losses have been reported in tomato by root knot nematodes [8] . Weeds are present throughout the year, during and after the crop and serve as reservoir for plant pathogens and nematodes [9] . Common agricultural weeds are hosts of plant parasitic nematodes [10] . The root knot nematodes (RKN) survive and develop on weeds [11] . Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus spinosus, Eleusine indica, Portulaca oleracea, Cyperus rotundus, Amaranthus sp., Chenopodium album and Digitaria sp. have been reported as weed hosts of root-knot nematodes [12] . Keeping the importance of weeds in winter tomatoes as hosts and non-hosts, this project was initiated with the following objectives to survey the common weeds as hosts and non-hosts of M. javanica in winter tomatoes at Dargai and Jabban of Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. 2. Materials and methods 2.1 Survey of weed hosts of root knot nematodes Extensive field survey was conducted in tomato growing fields of Dargai and Jabban area of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For this purpose 20 fields were surveyed. In each field 5