Several nematodes act as vectors for transmission of fungi, bacteria and viruses.

Bacterial diseases:

• The bacterium which causes yellow ear rot of wheat (Corynebacterium tritici or Clavibacter tritici) is disseminated by ear cockle nematode, Anguina tritici.

Fig: Yellow ear rot of wheat

Fig: Anguina tritici

• If these two diseases appear together, a complex disease called tundu of wheat occurs.

Fig: Ear Cockle Disease Of Wheat

• Corynebacterium tritici is not capable of dispersal and infection unless it is carried by Anguina tritici.

Fungal diseases:

Similarly, root rot and wilt pathogens such as Phytophthora, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Verticillium, etc., are disseminated by nematodes.

Viral diseases:

• Many soil borne viruses are known to be transmitted by the nematodes.
• Xiphenema, Longidorous, Trichodorus and Paratrichodorus are the nematode genera belonging to Dorylaimoidea which are known to transmit plant viruses.