Mosses, the bryophytes are one of the most important bioindicators and play many complex ecological roles in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Though they are most abundant in moist habitats but can also exploit many different environments from grasslands to deserts. They shelter several microorganisms as diverse as bacteria, protozoan, tardigrades, nematodes etc. in biocoenoses that are relatively isolated from surrounding habitats. But till date comparatively very little study has been carried out on this interesting ecosystem throughout the world including Asian countries, India. Due to...

Nematodes are considered as second most diverse group after arthropods. 2500 species have been recorded from India. India is the world's second largest vegetable producer with highest production (87.33%) in West Bengal. Cucurbitaceous crops share about 5.6% of the total vegetable production. In the present study nematodes of order Dorylaimida and Tylenchida associated with cucurbitaceous crops of district North 24 Parganas are taken under consideration and 44 nematode species are found associated. In India, they cause an average yield loss of 15% in all agricultural crops. Since nematodes...