Interrelationship of Heterodera schachtii and Meloidogyne hapla on Tomato

Invasion of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) roots by combined and sequential inoculations of Meloidogyne hapla and a tomato population of Heterodera schachtii was affected more by soil temperature than by nematode competition. Maximum invasion of tomato roots, by M. hapla and H. schachtii occurred at 30 and 26 C, respectively. Female development and nematode reproduction (eggs per plant) of M. hapla was adversely affected by H. schachtii in combined inoculations of the two nematode species. Inhibition of M. hapla development and reproduction on tomato roots from combined nematode inoculations was more pronounced as soil temperature was increased over a range of 18-30 C and with prior inoculation of tomato with H. schachtii. M. hapla minimally affected H. schachtii female development, but there was significant reduction in the buildup of H. schachtii when M. hapla inoculation preceded that of H. schachtii by 20 days.     

Occurrence,Parasitism, and Pathogenicity of Nematodes Associated with Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.)

Ten species of stylet-bearing nematodes were recovered in a survey of sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L. ) stands in Georgia. Helicotylenchus, Xiphinema, and Criconemoides were the genera found most frequently. Populations of Hoplolaimus galeatus, Scutellonema brachyurum, Helicotylenchus dihystera and H. pseudorobustus increased on greenhouse-grown sycamore, but Trichodorus christiei, Xiphinema americanum, Meloidogyne hapla, M. arenaria and M. incognita did not. Hoplolaimus galeatus and S. brachyurum are semi-endoparasites; H. dihystera and H. pseudorobustus are migratory endoparasites. Hoplolaimus galeatus caused extensive root necrosis and marked decrease of fresh weights of seedling roots and tops. Helicotylenchus dihystera and S. brachyurum produced only qualitatively different sparse and unhealthy root growth. Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus caused only a reduction in root surface area.     

Pathological Interaction of a Combination of Heterodera schachtii and Meloidogyne hapla on Tomato

Increased culturing of a tomato population of Heterodera schachtii (UT1C) on tomato for 480 days (eight inoculation periods of 60 days each) significantly increased virulence to ''Stone Improved'' tomato. A synergistic relationship existed between Meloidogyne hapla and H. schaehtii on tomato. A combination of H. schachtii (UTIC) and M. hapla significantly reduced tomato root weights by 65, 64, and 61% below root weights of untreated controls, and single inoculations of M. hapla and H. schachtii, respectively. This corresponded to root reductions of 42, 44, and 46% from a combination of H. schachtii (UT1B) and M. hapla. Antagonism existed between H. schachtii and M. hapla with regard to infection courts and feeding sites. The root-knot galling index dropped from 6.0 with a single inoculation of M. hapla to 4.3 and 3.3 with combined inoculations of M. hapla plus UT1B and M. hapla plus UTIC cyst nematode populations. The pathological virulence of H. schachtii to sugarbeet was not lost by extended culturing on tomato; there were no differences in penetration, maturation, and reproduction between sugarbeet populations continually cultured on sugarbeet and the population continually cultured on tomato.     

Relationship of Resistance to Meloidogyne chitwoodi (race 2) and M. hapla in Alfalfa

In the Pacific Northwest, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is host to two species of root-knot nematodes, including race 2 of the Columbia root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) and the northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla). In addition to the damage caused to alfalfa itself by M. hapla, alfalfa’s host status to both species leaves large numbers of nematodes available to damage rotation crops, of which potato is the most important. A nematode-resistant alfalfa germplasm release, W12SR2W1, was challenged with both nematode species, to determine the correlation, if any, of resistance to nematode reproduction. Thirty genotypes were screened in replicated tests with M. chitwoodi race 2 or M. hapla, and the reproductive factor (RF) was calculated. The distribution of natural log-transformed RF values was skewed for both nematode species, but more particularly for M. chitwoodi race 2, where more than half the genotypes screened were non-hosts. Approximately 30 percent of genotypes were non-hosts or very poor hosts of M. hapla, but RF values for M. hapla on susceptible genotypes were generally much higher than RF values for genotypes susceptible to M. chitwoodi race 2. The Spearman rank correlation was positive (0.52) and significant (p-value = 0.003), indicating there is some relationship between resistance to these two species of root-knot nematode in alfalfa. However the relationship is not strong enough to suggest genetic loci for resistance are identical, or closely linked. Breeding for resistance or immunity will require screening with each species separately, or with different DNA markers if marker-assisted breeding is pursued. A number of genotypes were identified which are non-hosts to both species. These plants will be intercrossed to develop a non-host germplasm.     

Distribution of Selected Plant Parasitic Nematodes Relative to Vegetation and Edaphic Factors

The occurrence of selected plant-parasitic nematodes in the hemlock-hardwood-white pine, boreal forest, tundra, and oak-hickory associations in some northern states was compared. Helicotylenchus platyurus and Xiphinema americanum were not found in the boreal forest and tundra, and occurred infrequently in the hemlock-hardwood-white pine areas. They were found frequently, however, in the oak-hickory forest of Iowa. It is questioned that vegetational differences among the areas account directly for the major differences in nematode occurrence. Presence and absence of nematodes and their numbers in the oak-hickory association were clustered by similarity coefficients by sites and correlated with soil pH, percentage organic matter, percentage sand-silt-clay, and field capacity. Of the soil factors measured, pH gave the strongest correlations with nematode numbers. Xiphinema chambersi was found only in soils with a pH between 4.5 and 6.4 while the largest numbers of H. platyurus, H. pseudorobustus, and X. americanum occurred in soil above pH 6.0.     

Monoxenic maintenance and reproduction of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) on multiple-species in vitro root culture systems

The ability of tomato root tips transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and non-transformed onion and dandelion root tips to regenerate and provide suitable monoxenic hosts for the maintenance of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) was investigated. Populations of M. hapla were successfully established on all root culture systems examined, but the onion root culture was overall the most effective method for long-term maintenance and reproduction of M. hapla. The use of a pre-induction medium containing the hormone !-naphthaleneacetic acid was necessary for the production of onion root culture systems but was not required for the establishment of tomato or dandelion root cultures. Differences in nematode reproduction were observed on tomato when multiple populations of M. hapla were used for inoculations.     

Effects of humic and fulvic acids on poliovirus concentration from water by microporous filtration

Because naturally occurring organic matter is thought to interfere with virus adsorption to microporous filters, humic and fulvic acids isolated from a highly colored, soft surface water were used as model organics in studies on poliovirus adsorption to and recovery from electropositive Virosorb 1MDS and electronegative Filterite filters. Solutions of activated carbon-treated tap water containing 3, 10, and 30-mg/liter concentrations of humic or fulvic acid were seeded with known amounts of poliovirus and processed with Virosorb 1MDS filters at pH 7.5 or Filterite filters at pH 3.5 (with and without 5 mM MgCl2). Organic acids caused appreciable reductions in virus adsorption and recovery efficiencies with both types of filter. Fulvic acid caused greater reductions in poliovirus recovery with Virosorb 1MDS filters than with Filterite filters. Fulvic acid interference with poliovirus recovery by Filterite filters was overcome by the presence of 5 mM MgCl2. Although humic acid reduced poliovirus recoveries by both types of filter, its greatest effect was on virus elution and recovery from Filterite filters. Single-particle analyses demonstrated MgCl2 enhancement of poliovirus association with both organic acids at pH 3.5. The mechanisms by which each organic acid reduced virus adsorption and recovery appeared to be different for each type of filter.     

Effects of humic and fulvic acids on poliovirus concentration from water by microporous filtration.

Because naturally occurring organic matter is thought to interfere with virus adsorption to microporous filters, humic and fulvic acids isolated from a highly colored, soft surface water were used as model organics in studies on poliovirus adsorption to and recovery from electropositive Virosorb 1MDS and electronegative Filterite filters. Solutions of activated carbon-treated tap water containing 3, 10, and 30-mg/liter concentrations of humic or fulvic acid were seeded with known amounts of poliovirus and processed with Virosorb 1MDS filters at pH 7.5 or Filterite filters at pH 3.5 (with and without 5 mM MgCl2). Organic acids caused appreciable reductions in virus adsorption and recovery efficiencies with both types of filter. Fulvic acid caused greater reductions in poliovirus recovery with Virosorb 1MDS filters than with Filterite filters. Fulvic acid interference with poliovirus recovery by Filterite filters was overcome by the presence of 5 mM MgCl2. Although humic acid reduced poliovirus recoveries by both types of filter, its greatest effect was on virus elution and recovery from Filterite filters. Single-particle analyses demonstrated MgCl2 enhancement of poliovirus association with both organic acids at pH 3.5. The mechanisms by which each organic acid reduced virus adsorption and recovery appeared to be different for each type of filter.     

Effects of humic and fulvic acids on growth of tobacco

Summary Organic matter was extracted with a mixture of 0.1M Na₄P₂O₇ and 0.1M NaOH from soil and a commercial organic matter product, Aqua Humus, and separated into humic and fulvic acids according to their solubility in acid and alkaline solutions. They were purified by passage through a cation exchange resin, freeze-dried, and used for characterization and seedling growth studies. The CEC increased with pH for both humic and fulvic acids. Data from tobacco seedling studies show that humic and fulvic acids from both sources increased root number and length at low concentrations while at high concentrations, humic acids inhibited length and number of roots but fulvic acids had no effect. The results support the proposition that fractions of organic matter referred to as humic and fulvic acids affect root development by means other than as a source of nutrients.     

Differential Reaction of Alfalfa Cultivars to Meloidogyne hapla and M. chitwoodi Populations

Meloidogyne hapla reproduced and suppressed growth (P < 0.05) of susceptible Lahontan and Moapa alfalfa at 15, 20, and 25 C. At 30 C, resistant Nevada Syn XX lost resistance to M. hapla. M. hapla invaded and reproduced on Rhizobium meliloti nodules of Lahontan and Moapa, inducing giant cell formation and structural disorder of vascular bundles of nodules without disrupting bacteroids. At 15, 20, and 25 C a M. chitwoodi population from Utah reproduced on Lahontan, Moapa, and Nevada Syn XX alfalfa, suppressing growth (P < 0.05). Final densities of the Utah M. chitwoodi population were greater (P < 0.05) than those of Idaho and Washington State populations on Lahontan at 15 and 25 C and on Nevada Syn XX at 15 C, but were less consistent and smaller (P < 0.05) than those of M. hapla on Lahontan and Moapa at 20 and 25 C. Inconsistent reproduction of the Utah M. chitwoodi population on alfalfa suggests the possible existence of nematode strains revealed by variability in alfalfa resistance. No reproduction or inconsistent final nematode population densities with no damage were observed on Lahontan, Moapa, and Nevada Syn XX plants grown in soil infested with Idaho and Washington State M. chitwoodi populations.     

Influence of Volcanic Ash on Infectivity and Reproduction of Two Species of Meloidogyne

Mount St. Helens volcanic ash was incorporated into a loamy sand greenhouse soil mix to produce concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 25, 50 and 100% ash. Chemical and physical properties of the various mixtures were determined. Three experiments were conducted in a greenhouse to determine if volcanic ash had any influence on root-knot nematode survival and infectivity. Tomato, Lycoperscion esculentum, seedlings cv. Columbia, susceptible to Meloidogyne hapla and M. chitwoodi were planted into pots of the soil-ash concentrations and infested with one of the two nematode species. Tomato seedlings were harvested 30, 50 and 60 days later and the roots examined for nematode infection and reproduction. Ash incorporation had no deliterious effect on root-knot nematodes in any of the experiments reported here. Nematode infection and reproduction on tomato were not affected at any ash concentration.     

The influence of humic substances on the aerobic decomposition of submerged leaf litter

Leaf material was incubated in flasks containing streamwater in which the pH and the concentration of isolated fulvic acid were varied independently of one another. Decomposition of the leaf material was slower at pH 4 than at pH 5 or 7, but the concentration of fulvic acid had no effect when the pH was held constant. At pH 5, 20 mg Cl^–1 humic acid also had no effect on decomposition. High concentrations of dissolved fulvic acids may contribute to the slow decomposition of plant litter characteristic of many wetlands through their contribution to hydrogen ion activity, but we could find no evidence for other properties of fulvic acid which inhibit leaf litter decomposition.     

Effect of Plant Age on Resistance of Alfalfa to Meloidogyne hapla

Meloidogyne hapla-resistant plants grown from cuttings and inoculated with M. hapla larvae were free of galls. However, 35 to 48% of the seedling intercross progeny of resistant genotypes that were inoculated in the germinated seed stage were galled. There was an inverse relationship between the age of plants grown from seed and the percentage of plants galled by M. hapla; the older the plants at inoculation, the greater the percentage of gall-free plants. The per cent of galled plants was significantly reduced when galled roots were removed and plants reinoculated. Reproduction of M. hapla on galled progeny of resistant plants was significantly less than that on susceptible plants. There were no differences in nematode reproduction on galled progeny of resistant plants, regardless of age at time of inoculation. An in,ease in inoculum levels from 100 to 10,000 M. hapla larvae did not affect resistance or susceptility. There was a direct correlation between galling of inoculated seedlings of resistant progeny and temperature; inoculated 8-week-old cuttings of resistant plants were galled only at 32 C.     

Biological activity of humus acids isolated from spruce wood decomposed by fungi

Biological activity of humic acid, hymatomelanic acid, lignofulvic acid, and fulvic acids isolated from peat, from spruce wood decomposed by the fungusFomes marginatus (Fr.) Gillet, and from spruce wood decomposed by the fungusPoria cinerascens Bres. was tested on cress seedlings (Lepidium sativum L.). The results evaluated by the analysis of variance indicate that humus acids show a high degree of affinity in their biological activity which is a condition for the applicability of the decomposition of wood by fungi as a model of the humus formation. Humic and hymatomelanic acids, products of an advanced step of humification, have a predominantly stimulatory effect especially on the hypocotyl. Lignofulvic acids and fulvic acids exert a rather inhibitory effect with the root being more affected.     

Role of Nematodes,Nematicides, and Crop Rotation on the Productivity and Quality of Potato,Sweet Potato,Peanut, and Grain Sorghum

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of fenamiphos 15G and short-cycle potato (PO)-sweet potato (SP) grown continuously and in rotation with peanut (PE)-grain sorghum (GS) on yield, crop quality, and mixed nematode population densities of Meloidogyne arenaria, M. hapla, M. incognita, and Mesocriconema ornatum. Greater root-gall indices and damage by M. hapla and M. incognita occurred on potato than other crops. Most crop yields were higher and root-gall indices lower from fenamiphos-treated plots than untreated plots. The total yield of potato in the PO-SP and PO-SP-PE-GS sequences increased from 1983 to 1985 in plots infested with M. hapla or M. arenaria and M. incognita in combination and decreased in 1986 to 1987 when root-knot nematode populations shifted to M. incognita. The total yields of sweet potato in the PO-SP-PE-GS sequence were similar in 1983 and 1985, and declined each year in the PO-SP sequence as a consequence of M. incognita population density increase in the soil. Yield of peanut from soil infested with M. hapla increased 82% in fenamiphos-treated plots compared to untreated plots. Fenamiphos treatment increased yield of grain sorghum from 5% to 45% over untreated controls. The declining yields of potato and sweet potato observed with both the PO-SP and PO-SP-PE-GS sequences indicate that these crop systems should not be used longer than 3 years in soil infested with M. incognita, M. arenaria, or M. hapla. Under these conditions, these two cropping systems promote a population shift in favor of M. incognita, which is more damaging to potato and sweet potato than M. arenaria and M. hapla.     

Effect of Crop Rotation on Meloidogyne spp. and Pratylenchus spp. Populations in Strawberry Fields in Taiwan

Changes in population levels of Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita, Pratylenchus coffeae, and P. penetrans were studied in 12 strawberry fields in the Dahu region of Taiwan. Ten potential rotation crops and two cultural practices were evaluated for their effect on nematode populations and influence on strawberry yield. Rotation with rice or taro and the cultural practice of flooding and bare fallowing for four months were found to reduce nematode soil populations to two or fewer nematodes per 100 ml soil. Average strawberry yields increased between 2.4% to 6.3% following taro compared to the bare fallow treatment. Corn suppressed M. incognita and M. hapla populations and resulted in an increased in strawberry yield compared to bare fallow. Other phytopathogens also present in these fields limited taro as the rotation choice for nematode management. Results of this research and economic analysis of the input requirements for various rotation crops, corn and bare fallow were recommended as the most appropriate rotation strategies for nematode management in strawberry in this region.     

Specific Microbial Attachment to Root Knot Nematodes in Suppressive Soil

Understanding the interactions of plant-parasitic nematodes with antagonistic soil microbes could provide opportunities for novel crop protection strategies. Three arable soils were investigated for their suppressiveness against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla. For all three soils, M. hapla developed significantly fewer galls, egg masses, and eggs on tomato plants in unsterilized than in sterilized infested soil. Egg numbers were reduced by up to 93%. This suggested suppression by soil microbial communities. The soils significantly differed in the composition of microbial communities and in the suppressiveness to M. hapla. To identify microorganisms interacting with M. hapla in soil, second-stage juveniles (J2) baited in the test soil were cultivation independently analyzed for attached microbes. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of fungal ITS or 16S rRNA genes of bacteria and bacterial groups from nematode and soil samples was performed, and DNA sequences from J2-associated bands were determined. The fingerprints showed many species that were abundant on J2 but not in the surrounding soil, especially in fungal profiles. Fungi associated with J2 from all three soils were related to the genera Davidiella and Rhizophydium, while the genera Eurotium, Ganoderma, and Cylindrocarpon were specific for the most suppressive soil. Among the 20 highly abundant operational taxonomic units of bacteria specific for J2 in suppressive soil, six were closely related to infectious species such as Shigella spp., whereas the most abundant were Malikia spinosa and Rothia amarae, as determined by 16S rRNA amplicon pyrosequencing. In conclusion, a diverse microflora specifically adhered to J2 of M. hapla in soil and presumably affected female fecundity.     

Interactions between Meloidogyne incognita,M. hapla,and Pratylenchus brachyurus in Tobacco

In a greenhouse pot experiment on the pathogenicity and interactions of Meloidogyne incognita, M. hapla and Pratylenchus brachyurus on four cultivars o f tobacco the cultivars ''Hicks'' and ''NC 2326'' were susceptible to each nematode and "NC 95'' and ''NC 2512'' resistant only to M. incognita.Mean heights of susceptible plants were depressed but fresh weight of tops did not differ significantly. Meloidogyne spp. increased fresh weight of susceptible (but not the resistant) roots.Reproduction of M. incognita was decreased in the presence of P. brachyurus in one case. M. hapla reproduction was less with either of the other nematodes in five out of eight cases. In 12 combinations involving P. brachyurus, reproduction of this species was depressed in seven, not affected in four and increased in one.Mechanisms involved in associative interactions were not identified but appeared to be indirect and to involve individual host-nematode responses.     

Com Yield Increases Relative to Nonfumigant Chemical Control of Nematodes

Corn yields were measured after application of nematicides in 16 experiments, mostly in medium-to-heavily textured soil, at 12 locations in Iowa during 1973-1976. The average maximum yield increase in plots treated with nematicides was 21% over yields in untreated plots. Yields were correlated negatively with nematode numbers or nematode biomass in nearly all comparisons. Correlations of nematode numbers in the soil with yield averaged -0.56 for Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, -0.45 for Hoplolaimus galeatus, -0.51 for Pratylenchus spp., and -0.64 for Xiphinema americanum. Correlation coefficients for numbers of nematodes in the roots and yield averaged -0.63 for Pratylenchus spp. and -0.56 H. galeatus. Correlation coefficients for yield and total number of nematodes averaged -0.65 in roots and -0.55 in soils. Negative correlations also were greater for comparisons of yield with total parasitic-nematode biomass than with numbers of individual nematodes of a species or total numbers of parasitic nematodes.     

Host Suitability of Twelve Leguminosae Species to Populations of Meloidogyne hapla and M. chitwoodi

Legumes of the genera Astragalus (milkvetch), Coronilla (crownvetch), Lathyrus (pea vine), Lotus (birdsfoot trefoil), Medicago (alfalfa), Melilotus (clover), Trifolium (clover), and Vicia (common vetch) were inoculated with a population of Melaidogyne chitwoodi from Utah or with one of three M. hapla populations from California, Utah, and Wyoming.Thirty-nine percent to 86% of alfalfa (M. scutellata) and 10% to 55% of red clover (T. pratense) plants survived inoculation with the nematode populations at a greenhouse temperature of 24 ± 3°C. All plants of the other legume species survived all nematode populations, except 4% of the white clover (T. repens) plants inoculated with the California M. hapla population. Entries were usually more susceptible to the M. hapla populations than to M. chitwoodi. Galling of host roots differed between nematode populations and species. Root-galling indices (1 = none, 6 = severely galled) ranged from 1 on pea vine inoculated with the California population of M. hapla to 6 on yellow sweet clover inoculated with the Wyoming population of M. hapla. The nematode reproductive factor (Rf = final nematode population/initial nematode population) ranged from 0 for all nematode populations on pea vine to 35 for the Wyoming population of M. hapla on alfalfa (M. sativa).