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Ecology and Epidemiology

Host Range of Pratylenchus hexincisus and its Pathogenicity on Corn, Soybean, and Tomato. M. E. Zirakparvar, Postdoctoral associate, Department of Plant Pathology, Seed and Weed Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames 50011; Phytopathology 70:749-753. Accepted for publication 18 February 1980. Copyright 1980 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-70-749.

Forty-four species or cultivars of small grains, legumes, vegetables, or weeds were tested for susceptibility to Pratylenchus hexincisus. One to 10 plants were inoculated with 2,000 P. hexincisus in the greenhouse 3 days after emergence. After 3 mo, P. hexincisus was recovered from the roots of all plants except smooth brome and orchard grass. Final populations of P. hexincisus per pot were larger than the initial population in 12 plant species. Of these 12 species, tomato, garden pea, white Dutch clover, velvetleaf, and soybean contained more P. hexincisus per gram dry root than the susceptible host, corn. Pathogenicity of P. hexincisus on corn, soybean, and tomato was demonstrated in greenhouse experiments organized according to a split-plot design. An inoculum of 5,000 P. hexincisus per plant significantly decreased the root and top biomass of corn, soybean, and tomato after 3 mo. An inoculum of 20,000 P. hexincisus per plant significantly decreased the height and top and root biomass of corn plants in all three monthly samplings.