Effect of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, on the growth of a peach (Prunus persica) rootstock in pots
Authors
M. Di Vito
A. M. Simeone
F. Catalano
Abstract
The effect of initial population densities of an Italian population of Meloidogyne javanica on the growth of a peach rootstock was investigated in 950 cm3 plastic pots. Each pot was inoculated with 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 or 1024 eggs and second stage juveniles/cm3 soil and one seedling of the peach rootstock cv. GF 677 was transplanted into each pot. Data on height and fresh top weight of the plants were fitted to the Seinhorst model, y = m + (1 – m)zP-T. Tolerance limits to the nematode were 0.85 and 0.57 eggs and second stage juveniles/cm3 soil for fresh top weight and height, respectively. Minimum relative yields were 0.29 at Pi ≥ 64 eggs and second stage juveniles/cm3 soil for fresh top weight and 0.58 at Pi ≥ 32 eggs and second stage juveniles/cm3 soil for plant height. Maximum nematode reproduction rate was 6.2-fold at the smallest initial population density.