Pathogenicity of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii, on sweet basil (Ocimun basilicum L.) in pots

The relationship between a geometric series of twelve initial populations (Pi) of Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang & Eisenback (0-256 eggs and second stage juveniles (J2)/cm(3)soil) and fresh and dry top weight of the plants of sweet basil (Ocimun basilicum L.) var basilicum (white) and var purpurascens (purple) was investigated in 400 cm(3) pots. Sixty days after inoculation fresh and dry top weight of the plants of both varieties and fmal nematode populations were recorded. The Seinhorst model y=m+(1-m)zP(i-T) gave an adequate fit to the relationship between average fresh and dry top weight of the plants of both varieties and nematode population density. Tolerance limits (7) of var basilicum to the nematode for fresh and dry top weight were 0.7 and 0.8 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil and the minimum relative yield (m) were 0.36 and 0.48 eggs + J2/cm(3) soil at Pi >= 64 and 128 eggs+J2/ cm3 soil, respectively. The maximum nematode reproduction rate was 5.5 at Pi= 0.25 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil and the largest final population density (Pf) was 48.3 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil at Pi = 64 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil. T of var purpurascens for fresh and dry top weight was 0.2 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil in both cases and m were 0.82 and 0.63 at Pi >= 64 and 32 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil, respectively. The maximum nematode reproduction rate was 9.16 at Pi= 0.25 eggs+J2/cm(3)soil and the largest population final density (Pf) was 156.12 eggs+J2/cm(3) soil at Pi= 128 hv+J2/cm(3) soil.