TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DYNAMICS OF PRATYLENCHUS VULNUS PARASITIZING WALNUT

Abstract

The population dynamics of Pratylenchus vulnus and Longidorus proximus were studied in the rhizosphere of walnut at Faiano (Salerno). The density of P. vulnus varied from 33 to 211 specimens /100 cc soil, with alternate peaks in October 1993 and summer 1994. The population of L. proximus varied from 14 to 275 nematodes per 100 cc soil and showed the highest increase in September. No interaction between the two species was observed and the changes of two populations appeared related to increasing density and host root damage. When Taylor's power law was applied to study the spatial spreading and aggregation of both species, P. vulnus appeared more aggregated than L. proximus, requiring higher numbers of samples for density estima-