White tip Nematode

Symptom

It is seed-borne disease and viability of infected seed is lowered, germination is delayed and diseased plants have reduced vigor and height.  During early growth, the most conspicuous symptom is the emergence of the chlorotic tips of new leaves from the leaf sheath. These tips later dry and curl, whilst the rest of the leaf may appear normal. The young leaves of infected tillers can be speckled with a white splash pattern, or have distinct chlorotic areas. Leaf margins may be distorted and wrinkled, but leaf sheaths are symptomless. Infected plants mature late and have sterile panicles borne on tillers produced from high nodes. Infected panicles are shorter, with fewer spikelets and a smaller proportion of filled grain.  In severe infections, the shortened flag leaf is twisted and can prevent the complete extrusion of the panicle from the boot. It reduces seed swelling. The grain is small and distorted and the kernel may be discolured and cracked.