Monoxenic culture of pratylenchus sudanensis on carrot disks, with evidence of differences in reproductive rates between geographical isolates

Sterile carrot disks have been used successfully for monoxenic culture of root lesion nematodes such as Pratylenchus brachyurus (Moody et al., 1973) and P. vulnus (Townson & Lear, 1982), and excised maize roots have been used to rear P. penetrans (Tiner, 1960) and P. zeae (Jordaan & De Waele, 1988). Recent reports have indicated that P. sudanensis is causing damage to yams(Dioscorea spp.) in Uganda(Mudiope,1999;Coyne et al., 2003). Information on the biology and epidemiology of P. sudanensis is very limited. It has been associated with over 20 plant species in Sudan, however, where it is viewed as an economically damaging pest of cotton (Saadabi, 1985). Other favourable hosts included sorghum, pigeon pea and lubia bean. Wheat and groundnut were viewed as non-hosts. In order to investigate further the biology of this nematode, a readily available source of nematode cultures would be needed. Therefore, sterile carrot disk and excised maize root methods were assessed for their ability to support mass culture of P. sudanensis.