• Isolation, identification and maintenance of virulent nematicidal isolates for management of plant-parasitic nematodes (Trichoderma species viz. T. asperellum , T. harzianum and T. virens, blue green alga, Synechococcus nidulans, bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pasteuria penetrans )
• Bioefficacy evaluation of potential biocontrol agents for nematode pest management infecting vegetable crops in  polyhouse and open field .
• Working on role of bacterivorous nematodes that enhance the rate of nutrient mineralization in interaction with soil bacteria and organic substrates present in soil. 

The Division of Nematology has well-equipped molecular labs where work on the molecular biology of host plant-nematode interaction, use of RNAi, CRISPR-mediated genome editing, and use of novel target genes for nematode management is going on. In addition, we also work on nematode genomics, transcriptomics and molecular taxonomy. In last few years, we have sequenced nine genomes, including three nematodes (rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae, entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis indica), one insect (spotted pod borer of pigeon pea, Maruca vitrata) and five rice lines of which four were mutant lines resistant to nematode infections. We have sequenced 14 transcriptomes to understand nematode biology and host-nematode interactions. In addition, in vitro RNAi and host-delivered RNAi have been used to develop novel environmentally safer nematode management strategies against M. incognita, H. avenae and M. graminicola. 

• Identified and documented most of the genera and species of soil, insect and plant nematodes occurring in India.
• Highlighted the emerging nemic problems in vegetables, cereals, pulses and oilseed-based cropping systems.
• Utilized biochemical and molecular techniques for differentiation of closely resembling nematode species.
• Differentiated races of root-knot, reniform and cyst nematodes using host differentials and DNA polymorphism.
• Identified genes of several plant and entomopathogenic nematodes and their sequences deposited in gene bank.
• Proposed novel classification schemes and developed diagnostic keys for nematode taxa.
• Studied the morphometrics of important tylenchid and longidorid nematode pests.
• Established the National Nematode Collection of India (NNCI) which has 2395 Type accessions belonging to 584 species and 201 genera, 2285 identified slides belonging to 225 species, and 3302 vials of wet suspension. Information on the accession of NNCI is available in the form of a database.

It was created during 2023-24 for Divisional Staff and Students.

• The Division has taken the lead by describing the first new heat-tolerant species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema thermophilum from Indian soil and isolated more than 30 strains of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. This contribution has boosted the EPN research in various laboratories in India.
• Basic and applied research on ecological characterization, mass culturing and formulation of EPNs. 
• The heat-tolerant entomopathogenic nematode species (Steinernema thermophilum) licensed to Multiplex Biotech International Ltd., for its widespread use against soil and foliar insect pests of crops. The nature of interactions among entomopathogenic nematodes, and their bacterial symbionts as well as insect hosts worked out.

• Established the nematicidal potential of neem and other botanical parts and products against root-knot, reniform and pigeon pea cyst nematode in vegetables and pulses.
• Developed protocols for seed treatment with neem products and nematicides in direct seeded cereal, vegetable, flower, pulse and oilseed crops for the control of root-knot, reniform and cyst nematodes.
• Identified a large number of sources of resistance in vegetables, pulses and oil-seeds against root-knot and reniform nematodes and in cereals against cyst nematodes and a few of them used in breeding resistant varieties.
• Determined the damage threshold levels and developed crop damage nematode population density models for several crops; studied the population dynamics of economically important nematode species in relation to cropping systems and agro climate. 
• The biology, population dynamics and integrated management package for M. graminicola worked out for both rice and wheat.
• Demonstrated soil solarization of nursery beds as a highly effective technique for controlling nematodes in transplanted crops such as tomato, brinjal, chilli and rice.
• Developed a simple management package for the ear-cockle/seed gall nematode, Anguina tritici infecting wheat
• Developed integrated nematode management packages utilizing combinations of cultural and chemical control methods and their efficacy demonstrated in multi-location trials in cereal, vegetable, pulse, and oilseed crops. 
• Established a Nematode Disease Diagnostic and Advisory Clinic to assist and advise the farmers in diagnosis and management of nematode induced diseases.

The Division has a well-equipped laboratory for Post Graduate Students.