Research Papers: Nematodes Associated with Sorghum in Puerto Rico

Resumen

A field study of sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) was conducted at 2 agricultural substations (Fortuna and Lajas) and the experimental farms of the Mayaguez Institute of Tropical Agriculture at Mayaguez and Isabela in Puerto Rico. Pratylenchus zeae, Helicotylenchus sp., Tylenchorhynchus crassicaudatus, Aphelenchus sp., Aphelenchoides sp., were the most commonly recovered phytoparasitic nematodes. All but T. crassicaudatus were present in the 4 localities. Pratylenchus zeae was considered the most important parasite of sorghum under local conditions, based on its virulence and population density and distribution. Nematode population densities of P. zeae were higher in neutral than in acid soils. Population densities were greater in localities with lower termperatures and lighter soils.