Management of Lesion Nematodes and Potato Early Dying with Rotation Crops

Soil-incorporated rotation/green manure crops were evaluated for management of potato early dying caused by Verticillium dahliae and Pratylenchus penetrans. After two years of rotation/green manure and a subsequent potato crop, P. penetrans numbers were less after ‘Saia’ oat/‘Polynema’ marigold, ‘Triple S’ sorghum-sudangrass, or ‘Garry’ oat than ‘Superior’ potato or ‘Humus’ rapeseed. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for early dying was lowest after Saia oat/marigold, and tuber yields were greater than continuous potato after all crops except sorghum-sudangrass. Saia oat/marigold crops resulted in the greatest tuber yields. After one year of rotation/green manure, a marigold crop increased tuber yields and reduced AUDPC and P. penetrans. In the second potato crop after a single year of rotation, plots previously planted to marigolds had reduced P. penetrans densities and AUDPC and increased tuber yield. Rapeseed supported more P. penetrans than potato, but had greater yields. After two years of rotation/green manure crops and a subsequent potato crop, continuous potato had the highest AUDPC and lowest tuber weight. Rotation with Saia oats (2 yr) and Rudbeckia hirta (1 yr) reduced P. penetrans and increased tuber yields. AUDPC was lowest after R. hirta. Two years of sorghum-sudangrass did not affect P. penetrans, tuber yield or AUDPC. These results demonstrate that P. penetrans may be reduced by one or two years of rotation to non-host or antagonistic plants such as Saia oat, Polynema marigold, or R. hirta and that nematode control may reduce the severity of potato early dying.     

Effect of Initial Nematode Population Density on the Interaction of Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticillium dahliae on 'Russet Burbank' Potato

Four similar growth chamber experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the initial population density (Pi) of Pratylenchus penetrans influences the severity of interactive effects of P. penetrans and Verticillium dahliae on shoot growth, photosynthesis, and tuber yield of Russet Burbank potato. In each experiment, three population densities of P. penetrans with and without concomitant inoculation with V. dahliae were compared with nematode-free controls. The three specific Pi of JR penetrans tested varied from experiment to experiment but fell in the ranges 0.8-2.5, 1.8-3.9, 2.1-8.8, and 7.5-32.4 nematodes/cm³ soil. Inoculum of V. dahliaewas mixed into soil, and the assayed density was 5.4 propagules/gram dry soil. Plants were grown 60 to 80 days in a controlled environment. Plant growth parameters in two experiments indicated significant interactions between P. penetrans and V. dahliae. In the absence of V. dahliae, P. penetrans did not reduce plant growth and tuber yield below that of the nematode-free control or did so only at the highest one or two population densities tested. In the presence of K dahliae, the lowest population density significantly reduced shoot weight and photosynthesis in three and four experiments, respectively. Higher densities had no additional effect on shoot weight and caused additional reductions in photosynthesis in only one experiment. Population densities of 0.8 and 7.5 nematodes/cm³ soil reduced tuber yield by 51% and 45%, whereas higher densities had no effect or a 15% additional effect, respectively. These data indicate that interactive effects between P. penetrans and V. dahliae on Russet Burbank potato are manifested at P. penetrans population densities less than 1 nematode/cm³ soil and that the nematode population density must be substantially higher before additional effects are apparent.     

Reproduction of Heterodera schachtii Schmidt on Resistant Mustard,Radish, and Sugar Beet Cultivars

The reproduction of a Wyoming population of Heterodera schachtii was determined for resistant trap crop radish (Raphanus sativus) and mustard (Sinapis alba) cultivars, and resistant and susceptible sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) cultivars in a greenhouse (21 °C/16 °C) and a growth chamber study (25 °C). Oil radish cultivars also were field tested in 2000 and 2001. In the greenhouse study, reproduction was suppressed similarly by the resistant sugar beet cultivar Nematop and all trap crop cultivars (P ≤ 0.05). In the growth chamber study, the radish cultivars were superior to most of the mustard cultivars in reducing nematode populations. All trap crops showed less reproduction than Nematop (P ≤ 0.05). In both studies, Nematop and all trap crops had lower Pf than susceptible sugar beet cultivars HH50 and HM9155 (P ≤ 0.05). In field studies, Rf values of radish cultivars decreased with increasing Pi of H. schachtii (r² = 0.59 in 2000 and r² = 0.26 in 2001). In 2000, trap crop radish cv. Colonel (Rf = 0.89) reduced nematode populations more than cv. Adagio (Rf = 4.67) and cv. Rimbo (Rf = 13.23) (P ≤ 0.05) when Pi was lower than 2.5 H. schachtii eggs and J2/cm³ soil. There were no differences in reproductive factors for radish cultivars in 2001 (P ≤ 0.05); Rf ranged from 0.23 for Adagio to 1.31 for Commodore for all Pi.     

Effect of Host Plant Age on Population Development and Pathogenicity of Ditylenchus destructor on Peanut

The effect of inoculating peanut, Arachis hypogaea cv. Sellie, with Ditylenchus destructor at timed intervals after planting and with different initial nematode population densities (Pi) was tested in greenhouse experiments. Final nematode population densities (Pf) in hulls and seeds were greater (Pf < 0.001) in plants inoculated at or before 9 weeks after planting. Pod disease symptoms correlated positively with the Pf in the pods. The seedgrade of peanuts inoculated at or before 9 weeks after planting was reduced, whereas grade of peanuts from plants inoculated at 15 weeks or later was not reduced. Peanut plants inoculated 12 weeks after planting with a Pi of 10-100 had a lower Pf (P < 0.05) than plants with a Pi of 250 to 8,000. Seed of plants with a Pi of 250 or less could be marketed as choice edible seed, whereas those with a Pi of 500 or more were of reduced seedgrade. These results suggest that as few as 500 nematodes per plant at 12 weeks after planting can build up to injurious levels before harvest. A nematicide should therefore be active for longer than 12 weeks after planting to sufficiently suppress the population.     

Reproduction of Pratylenchus penetrans on 24 Common Weeds in Potato Fields in Qu��bec

Twenty-four weeds commonly found in commercial potato fields in Quebec were evaluated for their host suitability to the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans, under greenhouse conditions. Brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and rye (Secale cereale) were included as susceptible controls and forage pearl millet hyb. CFPM 101 (Pennisetum glaucum) as a poor host. Pratylenchus penetrans multiplied well on 22 of the 24 weed species tested (Pf/Pi ≥ rye or brown mustard). Cirsium arvense, Leucanthemum vulgare and Matricaria discoida were classified as very good hosts with a Pf/Pi ranging from 1.60 to 2.54, while Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Cyperus esculentus were classified as poor hosts with a Pf/Pi from 0.01 to 0.15. Amaranthus powellii, A. retrqflexus, Raphanus raphanistrum, Rorippa palustris, Cerastium fontanum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media, Chenopodium album, Vicia cracca, Elytrigia repens, Digitaria ischaemum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Panicum capillare, Setaria faberii, S. pumila, S. viridis, Polygonum convolvulus, P. scabrum and P. persicaria were intermediate hosts with Pf/Pi values ranging from 0.33 to 2.01. The plant species and the botanical family had a significant impact on nematode reproduction. The Brassicaceae family resulted in the greatest reproduction of P. penetrans, and the Cyperaceae resulted in the least. The plant life-cycle (annual vs. perennial) had no impact on nematode population.     

Reproduction and Parasitism of Pratylenchus neglectus on Potato

An initial density (Pi) of 1,540 Pratylenchus neglectus/kg soil suppressed shoot growth of potato, Solanum tuberosum cv. Russet Burbank, in a greenhouse test at 3 weeks. After 6 weeks, shoot weights were reduced by Pi of 662 and 1,540 nematodes/kg soil, the final soil densities of P. neglectus were twice the respective Pi, and the numbers of nematodes per gram dry root were 5,363 and 7,981. In 1986-88 field microplot experiments with the Norchip cultivar, neither shoot nor root weight was suppressed by P. neglectus. In 1986 a Pi of 115 nematodes/kg soil suppressed the total number and weight of tubers per plant. In 1987 a Pi of 186 nematodes/kg soil suppressed the marketable and total number of tubers by 19 and 25 %, respectively. In 1988 a Pi of 1,884 nematodes/ kg soil reduced total and marketable weight by 18 and 19%, respectively. In 1986 and 1987 nematode population densities in the soil increased 34-fold and 27-fold, respectively. In 1988 the Pi of 1,884 nematodes/kg soil rose to 21,890/kg at midseason, then dropped to 4,370/kg at harvest. These studies show for the first time that P. neglectus reproduces well on potato and can cause yield losses. Because of its distribution and abundance, P. neglectus may be considered an economically important parasite of potato in Ontario.     

Pseudomonas chlororaphis Strain Sm3, Bacterial Antagonist of Pratylenchus penetrans

The interaction of Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain Sm3 and the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans was investigated in three separate greenhouse experiments with soils from southern British Columbia, Canada. The bacteria were applied to the roots of strawberry plants and planted in unpasteurized field soils, with natural or supplemented infestation of P. penetrans. Nematode suppression in roots was evident after 6 or 10 weeks in all experiments. Root or shoot growth were increased after 10 weeks in two experiments. Population dynamics of P. chlororaphis Sm3 in the rhizosphere was followed using an antibiotic-resistant mutant of P. chlororaphis Sm3. There was no apparent correlation between bacterial density in the rhizosphere and P. penetrans suppression in strawberry roots and rhizosphere soil, although the soil with the highest nematode reduction also had the largest P. chlororaphis Sm3 population in the rhizosphere.     

Pathogenicity of Pratylenchus penetrans to Navy Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The pathogenicity of Pratylenchus penetrans (root-lesion nematode) to Phaseolus vulgaris (navy bean) was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Shoot and root fresh weight of cv. Sanilac plants were increased 4 and 21%, respectively, by an initial population density (Pi) of 25 P. penetrans per 100 cm³ soil. Leaf area and shoot fresh and dry weights were decreased by a Pi of 50 or more P. penetrans per 100 cm³ soil. A significant positive linear relationship existed between initial soil population densities of P. penetrans and final soil and root population densities of this nematode. Three dry bean cultivars, Sanilac, Seafarer, and Tuscola, were susceptible to P. penetrans, and yields were reduced by 43-76% when plants were exposed to a Pi of 150 P. penetrans per 100 cm³ soil. P. penetrans also reproduced on bean cultivars Saginaw, Gratiot, and Kentwood, but did not decrease bean yields, suggesting that these cultivars were tolerant to this nematode.     

Damage Threshold of Meloidogyne hapla to Lettuce in Organic Soil

Lettuce was seeded in pots in the greenhouse and in field microplots in 1991 and 1992. Pots and microplots were filled with untreated or fumigated organic soil infested with Meloidogyne hapla at seven initial population densities (Pi) (0 to 32 eggs/cm³ soil). Lettuce weight, severity of root galling, and number of eggs per root system (Pf) were determined after 8 weeks. At the highest Pi, M. hapla caused yield losses up to 64% in the microplots and plant death in the greenhouse tests. The Seinhorst equation was used to describe the relation between lettuce weight and Pi (r² = 0.73 - 0.98) and to calculate the damage threshold density (T). Values of T were 7 and 8 eggs/cm³ soil in the greenhouse tests of 1991 and 1992, respectively. In the microplot tests, T was 1 egg/cm³ soil in 1991 and 2 eggs/cm³ soil in 1992. The damage threshold was the same in untreated and fumigated soils. At low Pi, root galling was more severe in the pots than in the microplots. Pf increased with increasing Pi of M. hapla in both tests, but declined at Pi > T in the greenhouse tests. The reproduction rate (Pf/Pi) of M. hapla was highest at the lowest Pi.     

Comparative Response of Alfalfa to Pratylenchus penetrans Populations

Four populations of Pratylenchus penetrans did not differ (P > 0.05) in their virulence or reproductive capability on Lahontan alfalfa. There was a negative relationship (r = -0 .7 9 ) between plant survival and nematode inocula densities at 26 ± 3 C in the greenhouse. All plants survived at an inoculum level (Pi) of 1 nematode/cm³ soil, whereas survival rates were 50 to 55% at 20 nematodes/cm³ soil. Alfalfa shoot and root weights were negatively correlated (r = - 0.87; P < 0.05) with nematode inoculum densities. Plant shoot weight reductions ranged from 13 % at Pi 1 nematode/cm³ soil to 69% for Pi 20 nematodes/cm³ soil, whereas root weight reductions ranged from 17% for Pi 1 nematode/cm³ soil to 75% for Pi 20 nematodes/cm³ soil. Maximum and minimum nematode reproduction (Pf/Pi) for the P. penetrans populations were 26.7 and 6.2 for Pi 1 and 20 nematodes/cm³ soil, respectively. There were negative correlations between nematode inoculum densities and plant survival (r = 0.84), and soil temperature and plant survival (r = -0 .7 8 ). Nematode reproduction was positively correlated to root weight (r = 0.89).     

Interpreting Upland Rice Yield and Pratylenchus zeae Relationships: Correspondence Analyses

Correspondence analyses were used to explore the relationships between yield and populations of Pratylenchus zeae in an upland rice field and in a greenhouse experiment. Initial soil (Pi) and final root (Pf) population densities of P. zeae, and yield (Y) of rice cv. UPL Ri5 were determined at 490 spots in the field. Very low Y was linked to very high Pf. Low Y was linked to medium or high Pi and medium Pf. Medium to very high Y were clustered with undetectable Pi and very low or high Pf. All yield levels were independent of very high Pi. In the greenhouse experiment where seven nematode inoculum levels and three fertilizer levels were evaluated, low Y was associated with medium or high Pf and high Y with high or low Pf. The analyses indicated that nematode-yield interaction involved a complex, dynamic process, in which the root-carrying capacity probably was a determining factor. Correspondence analysis, which does not require assumptions on the shape of nematode population-yield relationships or on variable distributions, revealed meaningful associations in these complex data sets.     

Reproductive and Damage Potential of Ditylenchus destructor on Peanut

The reproductive and damage potential of Ditylenchus destructor on peanut, Arachis hypogaea cv. Sellie, was determined in greenhouse tests. Final nematode population densities (Pf) in roots, hulls, and seeds increased (P = 0.01) as a function of increasing initial population (Pi). Final population densities were higher in hulls than in seeds and roots. Final densities in hulls and seeds were positively (P = 0.01) correlated. Fresh root and hull weight and number of pods and seeds per plant were not affected by D. destructor. Second generation germination and pod and seed disease severity increased (P = 0.01), whereas fresh seed weight decreased (P = 0.01) as a function of increasing Pi, and Pf in seeds and Pf in hulls. At Pi 250 and higher, 10-25% of seeds germinated into second generation seedlings before harvest. At Pi 250 and higher, fresh weight of harvested seed was suppressed 20-50%. At Pi 50 or Pf greater than 20 per seed, pod disease severity was 3-7 (on a scale of 1 to 10) and 15-80% of seeds were blemished or unsound.     

Effect of Winter Cover Crops on Nematode Population Levels in North Florida

Two experiments were conducted in north-central Florida to examine the effects of various winter cover crops on plant-parasitic nematode populations through time. In the first experiment, six winter cover crops were rotated with summer corn (Zea mays), arranged in a randomized complete block design. The cover crops evaluated were wheat (Triticum aestivum), rye (Secale cereale), oat (Avena sativa), lupine (Lupinus angustifolius), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). At the end of the corn crop in year 1, population densities of Meloidogyne incognita were lowest on corn following rye or oat (P ≤ 0.05), but no treatment differences were observed in year 2. Wheat was a good host to Paratrichodorus minor, whereas vetch was a poor host, but numbers of P. minor were not lower in vetch-planted plots after corn was grown. The second experiment used a split-plot design in which rye or lupine was planted into field plots with histories of five tropical cover crops: soybean (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), and corn. Population densities of M. incognita and Helicotylenchus dihystera were affected by previous tropical cover crops (P ≤ 0.05) but not by the winter cover crops present at the time of sampling. Plots planted to sunn hemp in the fall maintained the lowest M. incognita and H. dihystera numbers. Results suggest that winter cover crops tested did not suppress plant-parasitic nematodes effectively. Planting tropical cover crops such as sunn hemp after corn in a triple-cropping system with winter cover crops may provide more versatile nematode management strategies in northern Florida.     

Population Dynamics of Pratylenchus penetrans,Paratylenchus sp., and Criconemella xenoplax on Western Oregon Peppermint

Endoparasitic nematode populations are usually measured separately for soil and roots without a determination of the quantitative relation between soil and root population components. In this study, Pratylenchus penetrans populations in peppermint soil, roots, and rhizomes were expressed as the density within a standardized core consisting of 500 g dry soil plus the roots and rhizomes contained therein. Populations of Paratylenchus sp. and Criconemella xenoplax in 500 g dry soil were also determined, thus measuring the total plant-parasitic nematode population associated with the plant. Mean wet root weight per standard core peaked in spring and again in late summer and was lowest early in the growing season and in early fall. Pratylenchus penetrans populations peaked 4 to 6 weeks after root weight peaks. The percentage of the total population in roots reached 70% to 90% in early April, decreased to 20% to 40% in August, and returned to higher percentages during the winter. Rhizomes never contained more than a minor proportion of the population. Mean Paratylenchus sp. populations increased through spring and peaked in late August. Mean C. xenoplax populations fluctuated, peaking in August or September. Populations of all parasitic species were lowest during winter. Evaluation using the standard core method permits assessment of the total P. penetrans population associated with the plant and of changes in root weight as well as the seasonal distribution of P. penetrans.     

Resistance and Host-response of Selected Plants to Meloidogyne megadora

Fourteen plant species, including 30 genotypes, were assessed for host suitability to Meloidogyne megadora in a growth room at 20 to 28°C. Host suitability was based on the gall index (GI) and the reproduction factor (Rf):final population density (Pf)/initial population density (Pi). The presence of distinct galling was observed on roots of six plant species, and reproduction occurred on five of the 14 species tested. Three cultivars of cantaloupe (cvs. Branco do Ribatejo, Concerto, and Galia), three of cucumber (cvs. LM 809, Half Long Palmetto, and Market More), six of banana (cvs. Maçá, Ouro Branco, Ouro Roxo, Prata, Páo, and Valery), and one of broad bean (cv. Algarve) were considered susceptible (Pf/Pi > 1). Resistant cultivars (Pf/Pi = 0) included beet (cv, Crosby), pepper (cv. LM 204), watermelon (cvs. Black Magic and Crimson Sweet), tomato (cvs. Moneymaker and Rossol), radish (cv. Cherry Belle), and corn (cv. Dunia); sunn hemp and black velvetbean genotypes were also resistant. All Brassica cultivars were galled, although no egg masses were observed (Pf/Pi = 0), and classified as resistant/hypersensitive.     

Reproduction of Pratylenchus penetrans on Potato and Crops Grown in Rotation with Potato

The relative suitability of potato and crops frequently grown in rotation with potato as hosts for Pratylenchus penetrans was evaluated. Suitability of rye, wheat, corn, oat, sorgho-sudangrass, and potato were compared in pot studies based on ratios of final population : initial population density and densities of nematodes in roots at harvest. Population densities increased more on potato, oat, and corn than on rye, wheat, and sorgho-sudangrass. There were no differences among the four rye cultivars or between the two oat cultivars in host suitability. Population increases were not related to root weight or consistently to nematode densities in roots. Although rye and wheat were equally suitable hosts in pot studies, P. penetrans increased more on wheat than on rye in a field study, indicating that reproduction was reduced or mortality was increased on rye under field conditions.     

Suppression of Pratylenchus penetrans Populations in Potato and Tomato using African Marigolds

Current strategies for management of Pratylenchus penetrans in both white potato and tomato consist of the use of fumigant or non-fumigant nematicides or crop rotation. The objective of this study was to determine if double-cropping African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) with potatoes or tomatoes could reduce P. penetrans populations. Plots were 10 m × 3 m arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included marigolds, potatoes or tomatoes, and natural weedy fallow followed by either potatoes or tomatoes. Nematode populations were sampled before spring planting, between crops in August and after harvest in November. During the 3 years of the study, P. penetrans soil population density declined by an average of 93% from the pre-plant level when marigold was grown in rotation with potato and by 98% when marigold was grown.in rotation with tomato. Weedy fallow preceding potato resulted in an average decline in P. penetrans soil population density of 38%, and a similar decrease (37%) was seen when fallow preceded tomato. There was a significant reduction in the number of P. penetrans found in both potato and tomato roots when the crops followed marigolds. These results suggest that P. penetrans population density may be significantly reduced when marigolds are double-cropped with potatoes or tomatoes.     

Interactions between Heterodera avenae and Pratylenchus neglectus on Wheat

In a long-term field experiment, differential population densities of Heterodera avenae were produced by frequent cropping with resistant (cv. Panema) or susceptible (cv. Peniarth) oat. The two oat cultivars were equally good hosts of Pratylenchus neglectus in a glass house experiment with field soil. On wheat crops grown after oats in field experiments, P. neglectus population densities in roots were higher in plots where H. avenae had been controlled than in plots with moderate infestations (40 H. avenae eggs/g soil). The field observations indicated that the reduction in population densities of P. neglectus coincided with the development in roots of sedentary stages of the cyst nematode. Evidence for an indirect effect of H. avenae on P. neglectus was found in vitro in a split-root experiment. In the same field, grain yields of two wheat cultivars susceptible or resistant to H. avenae, but both susceptible to P. neglectus, was not reduced by P. neglectus. Alternation of H. avenae resistant and susceptible cultivars is a possible way of exploiting the inverse relationship between these nematodes, whilst controlling cyst nematode -populations in intensive cereal production systems.     

Impact of Plant Nutrition on Pratylenchus penetrans Infection of Prunus avium Rootstocks

A hypothesis that cherry rootstocks grown under optimal nutrient conditions are affected less by Pratylenchus penetrans infection than those grown under deficient nutrient conditions was tested by growing four Prunus avium L. rootstocks (''Mazzard'', ''Mahaleb'', ''GI148-1'', and ''GI148-8'') at a soil pH of 7.0 over a period of 3 months under greenhouse conditions (25 ñ 2 °C). Pratylenchus penetrans was inoculated at 0 (control) or 1,500 nematodes per g fresh root weight for a total of 3,600, 4,200, 10,500, and 11,400 per plant on Mazzard, Mahaleb, GI148-1, and GI148-8, respectively, with nutrients (commercial fertilizer) applied once at planting (deficient) or twice weekly (optimal). The experiment was repeated once. The optimum nutrient regime resulted in greater soil nutrient levels and plant growth; higher leaf concentrations of N, P, K, and Mg; and fewer P. penetrans than under the deficient nutrient regime. The addition of fertilizer either may increase nematode mortality in the soil or improve rootstock resistance to nematode infection. Increases in Ca in leaves from the nutrient-deficient and nematode-infected treatments suggested the plants were physiologically stressed. The Pf/Pi ratios indicated that these rootstocks may have had resistance to P. penetrans; however, because of the dominant role of nutrition in the experimental design, the question of resistance could not be properly addressed.     

Growth of Potato and Control of Pratylenchus penetrans with Oxamyl-treated Seed Pieces in Greenhouse Studies

Oxamyl was applied to both uncut and cut potato tubers in aqueous solutions of 1,000 to 32,000 μg/ml. Emergence in greenhouse pots was delayed for a day or more after soaking cut tuber pieces in 32,000 μg/ml. After 10 weeks plant growth was greater, relative to the control, when Pratylenchus penetrans-infested soil was planted with cut tubers soaked for 20 minutes in 32,000 μg/ml. Soaking for 40 minutes did not increase nematode control nor affect plant growth. Oxamyl applied to tubers at 1,000 μg/ml reduced the numbers of P. penetrans in the soil by 20% and in the roots by 35%; at 32,000 μg/ml, the numbers of P. penetrans in the soil were reduced by 73-86% and in the roots by 86-97%. The numbers of P. penetrans did not increase in the roots of plants developed from cut tubers soaked in 32,000 μg/ml over a period of 10 weeks, but numbers of lesion nematodes had begun to increase in the soil.