Damage to an Apple Orchard Cover Crop of Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) Associated with Meloidogyne microtyla. T. H. A. Olthof, Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada L0R 2E0. Plant Dis. 70: 436-438. Accepted for publication 14 October 1985. Copyright 1986 Department of Agriculture, Government of Canada. DOI: 10.1094/PD-70-436.

Severe damage to a grass cover crop in an apple orchard associated with Meloidogyne microtyla is described for the first time. In a number of samplings, population densities ranging from 1,080 to 7,050 juveniles per kilogram of soil were found associated with a 10-yr decline in a stand of creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra). In the most severe cases, dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) had completely replaced the grass cover. Damage was more severe in the middle of the row than under the tree canopies, possibly because of periodic mowing and absence of shade.