Experiments in suppressing citrus nematode population by use of a marigold and a predacious nematode

Abstract

Chemical control of the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenel rans Cobb, on established citrus trees in Israel has hitherto been only partially successful. Although treatment with dibromochloropropane, (DBCP) has been effective in killing the nematodes, tree response has not always been consistent and sometimes a phytotoxic effect has been observed (Cohn, 1969). Since the citrus nematode IS recognized in Israel as a pest of considerable importance (Cohn et aI., 1965), it was decided to assay some less conventional nonchemical control methods. The present paper reports experiments in controlling the citrus nematode by biological means.