Research Papers: Influence of N P K on the Population Dynamics of Several Nematode Genera on Potato

Abstract

Population changes of several genera of nematodes in response to levels of N, P, K, S, Zn, and Mn were studied under field conditions in a sandy soil. Half the dosage of N was added to the soil at planting and the rest at 45 days in a sideband application. The application of organic nitrogen (urea) was effective and inhibited increase of populations of Cricomenoides sp. and Trichodorus sp. for 60 days, and to a lesser extent Tylenchorhynchus sp, Dorylaimus sp, and saprophytes. High dosages of N were always effective, if accompanied by P. The application of K, Zn and Mn were not statistically significant, even though population levels were diminished. The population evaluation at harvest (4 months after planting) demonstrated that nematode numbers were at the original population levels.