Cylindrocarpon destructans as a parasite of Heterodera mediterranea eggs

Abstract

The fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zin) Scholten occurs widely in soils infested with Heterodera avenae Woll. and has been found in association with other species of nematode-parasitic fungi (Kerry and Crump, 1977; Kerry et al., 1980). Field and greenhouse observations indicated that C. destructans may attack and destroy an appreciable number of eggs of H. mediterranea Vovlas, Inserra et Stone, 1981, a parasite of lcntisc (Pistacia lentiscus L.) in Italy (Vovlas et al., 1981). However, it is not known whether this fungus could limit the population densities of H. mediterranea and other cyst-forming nematode species. Therefore, studies were conducted in Italy to determine the ability of C. destructans to parasitize eggs of H. mediterranea, H. carotae and H. goettingiana under natural and laboratory conditions. The results of these trials are presented in this note.