Endoparasitic Nematodes in Maize Roots in the Western Transvaal as Related to Soil Texture and Rainfall

Authors

  • Elizabeth M. Jordaan
  • D. de Waele
  • P. J. van Rooyen

Abstract

Eight endoparasitic nematode species were recovered from 170 maize root samples in western Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. Pratylenchus zeae had the highest average population density (17,454/5 g roots), followed by P. neglectus (5,827/5 g roots), P. penetrans (5,617/5 g roots), P. brachyurus (3,060/5 g roots), Meloidogyne incognita plus M. javanica (301 juveniles/5 g roots), P. crenatus (130/5 g roots), and Rotylenchutus parvus (64/5 g roots). The 17 reasonably homogeneous farming areas (RHFA) surveyed could be ranked on the basis of the incidence of the prevalent nematode species. A positive relationship was found between the incidence of P. brachyurus and R. parvus and long-term average annual rainfall. The incidence of P. penetrans and the Meloidogyne spp. was positively related to a combination of sand percentage and long-term average annual rainfall. Key words: maize, Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, P. crenatus, P. neglectus, P. penetrans, P. zeae, rainfall, Rotylenchulus pare,us, soil texture, western Transvaal.

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Published

1989-07-15

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Section

Articles