REPRODUCTION OF HETERODERA SCHACHTII ON SELECTED CROPS

Abstract

Sugarbeet (cv. Dima's), carnation (cv. Miscuglio Cbabaud), sunflower (cv. Rolle), eggplant (cv. Violetta di Romagna), tomato (cv. C. 37) and soybean (cv. Weber) were sown in sterile sand at 24°C and 70% RH and then inoculated with 1000 second stage (1 nematode/cm[sup3] of sand) juveniles of Heterodera schachtii at the two leaf stage. Twentynine-thirtytwo days after inoculation white adult females of the nematode were observed on sugar-beet (5/g root), carnation (3,6/g root), tomato (0,2/g root) and eggplant (0,03/g root) but not on sunflower or soybean. The results indicate that, with respect to the Italian populations of H, schachtii, carnation is highly susceptible, tomato is susceptible and eggplant is little susceptible. Therefore it is not advisable to include them in rotations in infested soil. Sunflower and soybeans are not hosts for the nematode.