Influence of Selected Maize Hybrids on Nematode Populations Under Differing Edaphic Conditions. S. H. Thomas, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003. D. C. Norton, Department of Plant Pathology, Seed and Weed Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames 50011. Plant Dis. 70:234-237. Accepted for publication 25 August 1985. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-70-234.

Commercial maize hybrids were grown at locations throughout east central Iowa to test their effects on plant-parasitic nematode populations in various soil types. Hybrids differed (P = 0.05) mainly with respect to population increase for Pratylenchus spp. Numbers of Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Tylenchorhynchinae, and Xiphinema americanum were not affected by differences in maize germ plasm. Relative hybrid suitability for Pratylenchus spp. reproduction remained essentially constant among locations despite differences in soil type and Pratylenchus species composition. For some hybrids, nematode reproduction was significantly influenced (P = 0.05) by age of host plant.

Keyword(s): interactions, lesion nematode.