Pathogenicity of Pratylenchus brachyurus on cotton plants

Although the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus brachyurus is frequently reported in cotton fields, its pathogenicity is still in question. Two greenhouse trials were carried out to evaluate the pathogenic effect of P. brachyurus on cotton cultivar Delta Opal. Four initial population densities were utilized: uninoculated, 12,000, 30,000 and 75,000 nematodes/400 cm3 of soil. Cotton growth parameters evaluated showed that P. brachyurus damaged plants only at the two highest initial population densities. Also, nematode reproduction data suggest that cotton is a suitable host for P. brachyurus. We therefore conclude that cotton is tolerant to P. brachyurus, as it did not cause severe symptoms in infected plants and only slightly affected plant growth. This information is important for management programs of this nematode utilizing crop rotation. © The Cotton Foundation 2012.