Temperature and the Life Cycle of Heterodera Schachtii (nematoda: Heteroderidae)

Development of the sugar beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii, was studied in growth chambers at 20, 25, 29, 32 and 35 ± 1 oC on Beta vulgaris cv. Saccharifera. The optimum temperature for reproduction appeared to be 32 oC, at which the life cycle, from second-stage juvenile (J2) to J2, was completed in 16-19 days; at 35 oC, 20-21 days were required. Juveniles emerged from eggs within 29 days at 29 oC and after 43 days at 25 oC. Although J2 were present within eggs after 62 days at 20 oC, emergence was not observed up to 101 days after inoculation. Female nematodes produced fewer eggs at 20 oC than at higher temperatures.