Life Cycle of Potato Cyst Nematode, Globodera rostochiensis and Effect of Population Densities on Potato Growth and Yield in Algeria

The present work was aimed to investigate the life cycle and the effect of different initial population densities of Globodera rostochiensis on potato yield and growth on the susceptible potato cultivar, Spunta, in Algerian environmental conditions. The length of the life cycle of G. rostochiensis differed among growing seasons and was ۷۲ days or ۶۹۹ DD۶.۲ for potatoes planted in mid-February and ۶۶ days or ۴۹۶ DD۶.۲ for potatoes planted in early November. A significant reduction in growth and potato yields was observed. The increase of initial Population densities (Pi) of G. rostochiensis were associated with a significant reduction in plant growth and potato yields. The maximum yield and plant height reductions were ۸۵ and ۷۵%, respectively, at the highest Pi of ۵۱۲ eggs g-۱ soil. The final nematode Population density (Pf) increased with the increase of the initial population densities. The Reproductive factor (Rf) initially increased with the increase of Pi up to ۴ eggs g-۱ soil and then decreased for Pi≥ ۴, suggesting an intraspecies competition. Results contribute to the knowledge of G. rostochiensis thermal time requirements in Algerian environmental conditions and can be a valuable tool to develop appropriate potato cyst nematode control strategies considering that the nematode can also cause severe damage and yield losses at very low Pi densities.

Keywords:

Nematode reproduction , Potato cultivar Spunta , Potato pest , Yield losses.