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Disease Control and Pest Management

Parasitism of the Nematode Criconemella xenoplax by the Fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis. B. A. Jaffee, Visiting assistant professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631; E. I. Zehr, professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631. Phytopathology 72:1378-1381. Accepted for publication 12 May 1982. Copyright 1982 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-72-1378.

Hirsutella rhossiliensis was commonly isolated from dead, surface-disinfested Criconemella xenoplax extracted from peach orchard soils. Invasion of living nematodes followed attachment of spores to the nematode's cuticle. After penetration of the cuticle directly beneath the adhering spore, a bulbous infection hypha formed from which secondary hyphae developed. Approximately 25% of inoculated juveniles were penetrated and killed by the fungus under laboratory conditions; adult C. xenoplax were penetrated less often. Approximately 50% of stressed adults (120 min incubation at 40 C prior to inoculation) were invaded and killed by the fungus. H. rhossiliensis rapidly penetrated and colonized all adults killed by 30 min of incubation at 60 C prior to inoculation.