Interactions between nematodes and other factors on plants.

The distinction between qualitative and quantitative interactions is stressed as it helps to elucidate differences between two current definitions of the term synergism and how multifactorial experiments should be designed, analysed statistically, and their results interpreted. Factorial design and analyses are strongly advocated so that interactions can be detected. It is suggested that interactions involving nematodes are common in nature and should be included, where appropriate, in hypotheses. Methods for testing the hypothesis that environment influences tolerance are suggested.