Abstract
Population dynamics, rate of root penetration, and external root feeding behavior of Pratylenchus agilis (Pa) in monoxenic cultures of intact corn seedlings and root explants of corn, tomato, and soybean were studied. In descending order of suitability as hosts were I. O. Chief corn, Rutgers tomato, and Williams soybean. Soybean entries Kent, Pickett 71, PI 90763, and Essex were poor hosts. Numbers of eggs and vermiform Pa in the agar medium indicated total fecundity and host suitability. Agar, sand, or soil as support media did not appear to affect Pa root penetration, but the rate of corn root growth did. Whereas most vermiform Pa and eggs were in roots, substantial numbers appeared able to feed and complete their life cycle as ectoparasites on root epidermal cells and root hairs.
Keywords: corn, ectoparasite, feeding behavior, Glycine max, host, lesion nematode, Lycopersicon esculentum, population dynamics, Pratylenchus agilis, resistance, root population, soybean, technique, tissue culture, tomato, Zea mays
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (536.2 KB).