Occurrence, Spatial Distribution, and Pathogenicity of Some Phytoparasitic Nematodes on Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens in Kansas. T. C. Todd, Nematologist, Department of Plant Pathology, Throckmorton Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-5502. N. A. Tisserat, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Throckmorton Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-5502. Plant Dis. 74:660-663. Accepted for publication 18 February 1990. Copyright 1990 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-74-0660.

Eleven genera of phytoparasitic nematodes, of which Criconemella, Helicotylenchus, Tylenchorynchus, and Hoplolaimus were the most abundant, were recovered from soil samples collected from 81 creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris ‘Penncross’) putting greens in Kansas. The relationship between population densities of Criconemella ornata, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, and Hoplolaimus galeatus and growth and quality of turfgrass was studied in detail on two creeping bentgrass putting greens from 1984 to 1986. Correlations between numbers of C. ornata or H. pseudorobustus and visible turfgrass injury were not observed; however, turfgrass growth, as measured by dry weight accumulation of foliage clippings, was negatively correlated with numbers of adults plus juveniles per 100 cm³ of soil for both species in 1985. In contrast, visible ratings of turfgrass damage increased linearly with logarithmic increases in population density of H. galeatus in 1985 when temperatures were higher. Populations of C. ornata and H. galeatus were aggregated on a bentgrass green at three sampling dates (June, July, and August), but the degree of aggregation varied with time and between species.