Changes in Vertical Distribution of Pratylenchus scribneri under Potato and Corn

Authors

  • A. E. MacGuidwin
  • B. A. Stanger

Abstract

The vertical distribution of Pratylenchus scribneri populations was monitored under irrigated corn and potato grown in loamy sand soil. population estimates were based on the number of nematodes recovered from 100-cm³ soil samples and the roots contained therein. Reproduction was assessed by counting the number of second-stage juveniles. An index of population maturity was computed to evaluate the age structure of populations. At no time were nematodes distributed uniformly among five soil depths from 0 to 37.5 cm deep. During the summer (June-September), changes in the total number ofP. scribneri and the number of second-stage juveniles recovered were not consistent among the depths sampled. Early (April-June) and late (September-November) in the season, changes in the abundance, reproduction, and maturity of populations were similar among depths. The timing and pattern of increases in numbers of nematodes suggests that variation in the abundance of P. scribneri in the soil profile beneath potato and corn was caused primarily by reproduction rather than the movement of nematodes. Key words: corn, maize migration, movement, population dynamics, potato, Pratylenchus scribneri, root-lesion nematode, Solanura tuberosum, spatial distribution, Zea mays.

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Published

1991-01-15

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Section

Articles