INCIDENCE OF HETERODERA AVENAE ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CEREALS IN SPAIN

Abstract

Microplot experiments have been carried out in Heterodera avenae infested and uninfested (control) soils with 97 cereals cultivars (wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale), in order to assess host efficiency, and effect of nematode's attack. All cereals tested were hosts of the nematode except oat cvs. Barley and wheat cvs. were the most severely damaged, followed by triticale and oat cvs., which, though resistant, showed the effects of nematode attack. Losses In grain Yield were mainly due to the reduction of head number/m² In wheat and barley cvs., and to number of grains/head in rye, triticale and oats.