Abstract

Horizontal, vertical and seasonal distributions of dagger nematodes (Xiphinema spp.) and root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) were monitored monthly for 12 months in a Barossa Valley vineyard of South Australia. Nematode densities were determined at five different horizontal positions from the vines, including rows and inter-rows, at two depths 0–300 and 300–600 mm. The dagger nematodes occurred mainly along the rows and at higher density at 300–600 mm, whereas root lesion nematodes were at similar densities in rows and inter-rows, but occurred at greater density at 0–300 mm. The population densities of both nematodes were greater in October and November and lowest in February (late summer). Based on these data and other reports, sampling near the vine to a depth of 600 mm in late spring is considered to be the best option for determining densities of Xiphinema and Pratylenchus in South Australian vineyards.