Effect of Temperature on Survival of Meloidogyne incognita in Flooded and Fallow Muck Soil

Abstract

Infective populations of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood remained high in muck soil after 4 wks of flooding or fallowing at temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30C. After 8 wks, infective populations were still high for temperatures of 10 and 15C but there was a sharp reduction in infectivity at 20C and further reductions at 25 and 30C in both fallowed and flooded soil. After 12 wks, infectivity was only slightly reduced at 10 and 15C but was again greatly reduced at 20C and was very low at 25 and 30C in both fallowed and flooded soil. Infectivity was slightly higher after 8 and 12 wks in soil that had been flooded than in soil that had been fallowed. Growth of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) was greatly enhanced by the reduced infectivity of the nematodes in soil held at the higher temperatures.