Minimal Growth Temperature of Pasteuria penetrans.

Pasteuria penetrans is an obligate, mycelial, and endospore-forming bacterial parasite of Meloidogyne spp. with promise for the management of root-knot nematodes. Our objective was to use regression analysis of developmental time (days) to various temperatures to determine the minimal temperature for growth and development of P. penetrans in Meloidogyne spp. The data set for regression originated from a previously published report. The data fit well to hyperbolic equations. For various developmental stages of P. penetrans, the minimal growth temperature ranged from 16.7 degrees C to 17.8 degrees C and averaged 17.2 degrees C.