Prevalence and abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with corn (Zea mays L.) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Date
2024
Type
Journal Article
Fields of Research
ANZSRC::310802 Plant biochemistry, ANZSRC::310803 Plant cell and molecular biology, ANZSRC::310804 Plant developmental and reproductive biology, ANZSRC::300404 Crop and pasture biochemistry and physiology, ANZSRC::300406 Crop and pasture improvement (incl. selection and breeding), ANZSRC::4005 Civil engineering
Abstract
The prevalence and abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) associated with corn (Zea mays; Poaceae) in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka are poorly understood. This study investigated the occurrence and population densities of major PPN genera associated with corn. Over 92% of the corn fields were positive for PPNs in all the sampled fields. Major PPN genera identified were Pratylenchus spp. (71.4%), Helicotylenchus spp. (28.6%), Meloidogyne spp. (21.4%), Criconemella spp. (21.4%), and Hoplolaimus spp. (35.7%). The mean population density of Pratylenchus spp. was 2020 nematodes kg‾¹ of soil, in the Anuradhapura corn fields. During the cropping season from November (2021) to February (2022), all PPN genera except Meloidogyne spp. were observed. Pratylenchus spp. were detected at levels below 1000 nematodes kg‾¹ of soil at the seedling stage, except in Kelenikawewa where the initial population was 1865 nematodes kg‾¹. At the time of harvest, Pratylenchus spp. increased by 2 to 10 folds. These findings suggest a potential impact of Pratylenchus spp. on corn yield in Anuradhapura, highlighting the need for further research to assess damage levels and the overall effect of PPNs on corn production in Sri Lanka.
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© The National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka.
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