Population Dynamics of Selected Plant-Parasitic Nematode Species on Guayule. S. H. Thomas, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003. Cynthia Goddard, Former Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003. Plant Dis. 70:579-580. Accepted for publication 24 December 1985. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-70-579.

Reproduction of Criconemella xenoplax, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Meloidogyne incognita, and Pratylenchus scribneri on guayule (Parthenium argentatum) was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Guayule was not a host for M. incognita or P. scribneri but supported H. pseudorobustus at about one-third of the initial inoculum level. Soil populations of C. xenoplax, on the other hand, increased (P = 0.05) to about five times the initial inoculum level. No reduction in plant root or shoot weight was observed during the 9-mo experimental period relative to the population increase of C. xenoplax. Lack of development of common nematode pathogens of annual crops on guayule enhances its usefulness as a perennial crop for marginal semiarid regions. Nematode problems might be anticipated where high populations of C. xenoplax develop.

Keyword(s): native latex, rubber production.