Distribution of plant parasitic nematodes in irrigated vineyards at Merbein and Robinvale

Abstract

Surveys made through the irrigation districts of Merbein and Robinvale, settlements established at different times on similar soils, showed that several genera of plant parasitic nematodes were widely associated with growing of grape vines. These genera included Meloidogyne, Tylenchulus, Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus and Criconemoides. Meloidogyne was more widely distributed in the newer area of Robinvale (37 per cent of samples infested) than in the older area of Merbein (22 per cent infested). This is most likely due to increasing infestation of vine numerics. In one com- paratively new section of Merbein where vegetable growing among vines has been common practice, half the samples contained Meloidogyne larvae. Root knot nematodes were most common in light textured soils. Over 90 per cent of samples from Merbein contained Tylenchulus, probably became citrus is grown or has been grown on very many properties. At Robinvale a little over 20 per cent of samples contained citrus nematode. Plant parasitic nematodes are sufficiently common at the present time in the irrigation areas to constitute an important problem in grape production.