Rate of increase of nematode infestation of tomatoes after soil fumigation

Abstract

The effect of soil fumigation in the control of root-knot nematode of tomatoes was shown to be due to the reduction in nematode infestation below the level at which it influences yield. The severity of root-gall formation, health, and yield of the plant were used as indices of nematode population. The severity of root-gall formation was found to be a sensitive index of population changes. Within the limits of the experiment the rate of nematode population increase was constant and independent of initial nematode infestation. The time interval necessary between treatments was shown to be a function of the rate of population increase and level of infestation after fumigation.