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NORTHERN ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE POPULATION DYNAMICS |
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CONTENTS
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No information appears to be available for population dynamics of root-knot nematodes on mint. However, in most other crops, these nematodes overwinter as eggs or J2 and invade the root systems in mid-spring when temperatures increase above 15 C (59 F) (Griffin and Jorgenson, 1969). After this time, populations in soil decline and nematodes can only be found in roots by staining the tissue. After a sufficient period, depending on soil temperature, adult females in the roots begin to lay eggs which soon hatch and the population of J2 found in soil increases rapidly for the rest of the growing season. Many of these nematodes successfully invade roots so that populations in the roots increase as well. Reproduction declines when temperatures lower and the remaining population dies or become dormant through the winter. In general, the population cycle of J2 in the soil during the growing season resembles the pattern of pin nematodes from Central Oregon. |
