Population dynamics and host range of Paratylenchus bukowinensis

The plant-parasitic nematode, Paratylenchus bukowinensis, occurs ubiquitously in arable fields. Economic damage has been reported from, among others, cabbage, parsley, and celery, but other crops might be affected as well. Management of P. bukowinensis is difficult. Resistant cultivars are not available and chemical control is prohibited in most European countries. In addition, sustainable management is often hindered by a lack of information regarding the biology and host range of P. bukowinensis. To improve the management of P. bukowinensis in the future, a good understanding of the life cycle and host plant-nematode interactions is required. We investigated the host range, life cycle and natural decline of P. bukowinensis in five glasshouse experiments. A total of 26 plant genotypes comprising 22 plant species from eight plant families were studied. Plant species within the families Brassicaceae and Apiaceae were confirmed as good hosts, while plant species within the families Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Amaryllidaceae, Solanaceae, Amaranthaceae and Poaceae can be considered non-hosts or poor hosts. In roots of good hosts, P. bukowinensis completed its life cycle within 3-4 weeks. In the absence of a host plant, P. bukowinensis declined by 40% within the first 4 weeks, but then remained at this level until the experiment was terminated after 14 weeks. Overall, the host range of P. bukowinensis seems to be smaller than for other species within the genus Paratylenchus, such as P. projectus or P. similis. Control of P. bukowinensis using crop rotation should be feasible by rotating good hosts belonging to the families Brassicaceae and Apiaceae with non-hosts or poor hosts.