Pathogenicity and development of Catenaria anguillulae on some nematodes

Abstract

Some plant parasitic nematodes and a non-parasitic one were tested for their susceptibility to Catenaria anguillulae. Non-motile juveniles of Anguina tritici, Seinura sp. and Xiphinema basiri were highly susceptible. Females of Meloidogyne javanica and Heterodera cajani, dislodged from roots of their respective hosts, were also highly susceptible. The fungus grew in the living adults of X. basiri and Seinura sp., as well as in males of M. javanica and H. cajani, causing paralysis of the invaded portion of the nematode body. The fungus revealed restricted growth endobiotically in Tylenchorhynchus brassicae, Hemicriconemoides mangiferae. Hoplolaimus indicus, Aphelenchus avenue, Helicotylenchus dihystera and Scutellonema brachyurum without causing death for few to several days indicating balanced parasitism. Sporangium formation in these species occurred only after the death of nematodes. Clearly, the fungus is a virulent parasite of nematodes.