Other Contributions: Preliminary Investigations on the Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Tobacco in Trinidad

Abstract

One hundred and eighty-four soil and root samples taken from 92 tobacco fields in Central Trinidad were analyzed for plant parasitic nematode populations. The results showed qualitative and quantitative differences according to soil texture, nematicides applied and varieties planted. Average mean number of plant parasitic nematodes per 200 cc of soil + 10 g root sample ranged from 55 to 5,220 with an overall mean of 1,000. Eleven plant parasitic nematode genera were recovered of which the most frequently encountered were Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne and Tylenchus. Population densities of P. zeae, M. incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis were high in spite of the low moisture content of soil during the growing period of the crop.