Research Notes: Susceptibility of Pigeon Peas to Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Alabama

Abstract

Seed of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) were planted in 10 cm diam pots containing 500 g of field soil known to contain plant parasitic nematodes. Plants were maintained in the greenhouse (27-32C). Eight weeks after planting, soil samples were collected for nematode analysis. The roots were examined for galls caused by root knot nematodes and were then incubated for 72 hrs in water sufficient for coverage to determine the number of endoparasitic nematodes. Pigeon pea roots in a sandy loam from a soybean field contained Pratylenchus brachyurus, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, and Hoplolaimus galeatus; soil contained T. claytoni, H. galeatus and Trichodorus christiei. Roots of plants grown in a sandy loam from a cotton field contained P. scribneri and H. dihystera; the soil contained H. dihystera and T. christiei but no P. scribneri. Pigeon peas were severely attacked by Meloidogyne arenaria when planted in a sandy loam from a peanut field. Results indicate that pigeon peas or at least the culti