Influence of Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. hapla on Wheat Growth.

Meloidogyne chitwoodi reduced the growth of winter wheat 'Nugaines' directly in relation to nematode density in the greenhouse, The relationship between top dry weight and initial nematode density suggests a tolerance limit of Nugaines wheat to M. chitwoodi of between 0.03 and 0.18 eggs/cm(3) of soil; the value for relative minimum plant top weight was 0.45 g and 0.75 g, respectively. Growth of wheat in field microplots containing four population densities (0.003, 0.05, 0.75 and 9 eggs/cm(3) soil) was not affected significantly at any inoculum level compared to controls during September to July, However, suppression of head weights of 'Fielder' spring wheat grown May-July occurred in microplots initially infested with 0.75 and 9 eggs/cm(3) soil. Reproduction (Pf/Pi) was poorer at these two inoculum levels as compared to the lower densities. In another greenhouse experiment, roots of wheat cultivars Fielder, 'Fieldwin,' 'Gaines,' 'Hyslop,' and Nugaines became infected by M. chitwoodi, but not by M. hapla. Reproduction of M. chitwoodi was less on Gaines and Nugaines than on Fielder, Fieldwin, or Hyslop.