This book is a clear, practice-focused guide to beneficial nematodes and their roles in pest control and soil health. It explains predator and parasite nematodes, how they associate with insects and other pests, and what their life cycles look like. You’ll learn the essentials of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN)—Steinernema, Heterorhabditis, and Oscheius—their biology, how they kill pests, and how to produce, formulate, store, and apply them in the field. Real-world notes on efficacy, success stories, and integration with other biocontrol tools help readers put ideas into action. The book also shows how nematodes serve as bioindicators of pollution and contribute to organic matter recycling, linking pest management with healthier soils and ecosystems.

N.G. Ravichandra, Professor of Plant Pathology and Scheme Head, All India Co-ordinated Research Project (Nematodes), Department of Plant Pathology University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, is involved in teaching, research and extension activities. He has been a major advisor to the Post-Graduate students majoring in Plant Pathology for M.Sc., (Agri.) and Ph.D. Degree Programmes.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has authored nine text books in Plant Pathology & Nematology, has 260 scientific research papers published in National and International journals, contributed chapters to twelve text books, edited five books and also authored ten books in Kannada language.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has identified and reported a new species of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) on Guava and a new host, Lac plant (Flemingia semialalta L.) for root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) from Karnataka. These are the new and first reports from India.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has been bestowed with three National awards for his research accomplishments and contributions. He has been recognized as the International Editor and Reviewer for three prestigious International Journals and National Editor for the eminent ‘Indian Phytopathology’ Journal. He has developed eight technologies for the management of root-knot nematodes infecting tomato, brinjal and rice, which have been included in the Package of Practices of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has operated research projects funded by the Department of Bio-Technology & Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator; participated and presented original research papers on various aspects of plant diseases in National and International conferences; undergone advanced training programs sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology & Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India; an active life member of professional societies including Nematological Society of India, Indian Phytopathological Society, Society of Mycology & Plant Pathology, National Environmental Science Academy, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Glacier Journal Research Foundation and Institute of Scholars.

1 Beneficial Nematode Fauna – Predators, Parasites of Insects, Molluscs and Other Pests

2 Entomophilic Nematodes- Important Groups, Types of Nematode- Insect Associations; Taxonomic Characteristics of Nematode Parasites of Insects

3 Host-Parasite Relations and Life Cycle of Mermithids, Entaphelenchids, Thelastomids, Sphaerularids And Tylenchids

4 Entomopathogenic Nematodes- Steinernema, Heterorhabditis, Oscheius: Their Morphological Characteristics, Taxonomic Status, Biology and Mode of Action

5 Entomopathogenic Nematodes- Mass Multiplication Techniques, Formulations, Field Applications & Efficacy and Success Stories

6 Nematodes as Biological Models, As Indicators of Pollution and Role of Nematodes In Organic Matter Recycling