Author
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Nyczepir, Andrew |
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Submitted to: Nematropica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2009 Publication Date: 12/1/2009 Citation: Nyczepir, A.P. 2009. Dynamics of concomitant populations of Pratylenchus vulnus and Meloidogyne incognita on peach. Nematropica. 39:373-279. Interpretive Summary: Key nematode pathogens of peach in the Southeast include the ring (Mesocriconema xenoplax), root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.) and root-lesion (Pratylenchus vulnus) nematode. Interactions between ring and root-knot nematodes in peach have been documented, but nothing is known about root-knot and root-lesion nematodes. Current knowledge is inadequate to develop integrated nonchemical management strategies to combat these nematode problems. The lack of basic information available on interactions between different nematodes is hampering the development of integrated management of peach decline problems. Determining the interaction between the root-knot and root-lesion nematodes with regard to peach tree decline in the southeastern United States needs to be investigated. A 26-month long field microplot study was conducted at ARS Byron, GA to determine the interaction between the root-knot and root-lesion nematodes as it relates to nematode reproduction and tree growth in Lovell peach. Results indicate that the presence of root-lesion nematode suppressed the population of root-knot nematode in soil. Additionally, the root-knot nematode suppressed tree growth in peach more than root-lesion nematode. These data provide useful insights into the interactive relationships between two plant parasitic nematodes as related to peach tree decline in the Southeast and the need for developing appropriate root-knot nematode management strategies in peach. Technical Abstract: The interaction between Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus vulnus on nematode reproduction and vegetative growth of Prunus persica ‘Lovell’ peach was studied in field microplots. Pratylenchus vulnus suppressed the population density of M. incognita second-stage juveniles, whereas the presence of M. incognita did not affect the population density of P. vulnus in soil. Above-ground tree growth, as measured by trunk diameter 12 and 24 months following inoculation, was reduced in the presence of M. incognita alone or in combination with P. vulnus as compared with the uninoculated control trees. The interaction between M. incognita and P. vulnus was significant for dry root weight 26 months after inoculation. Results indicate that the presence of the two nematode species together caused a greater reduction in root growth than P. vulnus alone, but not when compared to M. incognita alone. There appears to be a greater negative impact on vegetative growth of peach seedlings growing in M. incognita-infested soil than in P. vulnus-infested soil. |
