Life cycle and control of the cyst nematode Heterodera goldeni on rice in Egypt

Authors: IBRAHIM, IBRAHIM - Alexandria University Of Egypt; AWD-ALLAH, SHERIN - Agricultural Research Center Of Egypt; Handoo, Zafar

Submitted to: International Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2014
Publication Date: 8/11/2014
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61002
Citation: Ibrahim, I.K., Awd-Allah, S.F., Handoo, Z.A. 2014. Life cycle and control of the cyst nematode Heterodera goldeni on rice in Egypt. International Journal of Nematology. 24:11-17.

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plants and cause an estimated ten billion dollars of crop losses each year in the United States and 100 billion dollars globally. Cyst nematodes are an important group, damaging the roots of many kinds of plants worldwide. One approach to solving the problem of developing a safe method of controlling a cyst nematode present on rice is through comparing various soil amendments and biocontrol agents that may reduce nematode reproduction. In the present study, scientists from Egypt and ARS examined reproduction of this cyst nematode on rice in the greenhouse after soil treatments with different plant materials, stems of oyster mushrooms, a bacterial biocontrol agent, a microbial-produced nematicide, and a synthetic commercial nematicide. All treatments effectively reduced nematode infection on rice plants; the soil treatments with the synthetic nematicide or a combination of rubber plant leaves plus the biocontrol bacterium resulted in the highest reduction in numbers of nematode cysts. The results are significant because they provide the first indication that some of these soil treatments reduce cyst nematode reproduction on rice. This research will be of use to scientists, growers and extension agencies involved in cyst nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: The life cycle and methods for control of the cyst nematode Heterodera goldeni on rice (Oryza sativa) were examined in the greenhouse. Three tests were conducted to study the effects of soil treatments with some plant materials, stems of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), the biocontrol agent Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), the bionematicide abamectin, and the nematicide fenamiphos on H. goldeni on rice cv. Sakha 101. The results showed that the life cycle of this nematode was completed in 40 days on roots of rice. Second stage juveniles (J2s) penetrated the rice roots within 24 hrs after nematode inoculation. Third- and fourth-stage juveniles were observed in infected roots after 8 and 14 days following nematode inoculation. Mature brown cysts and second generation J2s were seen 36 and 40 days after nematode inoculation, respectively. All the applied treatments were effective in reducing nematode infection on rice plants. Soil treatment with fenamiphos or rubber plant leaves plus Bt supernatant resulted in the highest reductions (90-91%) in the number of nematode cysts, while treatments with orange peels, rubber plant leaves, mushroom stems and abamectin induced 80-86% reductions in the number of developed nematode cysts. Treatments with castorbean leaves, mallow weed foliage, and Bt pellet showed only 55-59% reductions in numbers of H. goldeni cysts. Thus, the applied soil treatments with the tested plant and mushroom materials, Bt, abamectin and fenamiphos generally suppressed H. goldeni infection and enhanced rice plant growth.