Aantasting in frambozen door Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb.) Sher et Allen

Summary Raspberries and strawbereis planted several years after a previous crop of raspberries were found attacked byPratylenchus penetrans. Raspberries planted in places where appled trees had been taken out showed slightly stunted growth and a moderate attack of the roots byP. penetrans.The symptoms of heavily infested raspberries were: severely stunted growth of above ground parts without other particular symptoms; a very poor root system, parts of which are completely dead and blackened or show dead, blackened bark, and the absence of fine feeding roots. In cases of light attack the root system is more normal but there is a number of rather large black lesions.Raspberries should not be planted after raspberries, after fruit trees susceptible to attack byP. penetrans, after strawberries or on possibly infested soil (in general light soils) unless a determination of the degree of infestation in the plant sites has shown that the place is safe. In case of infestation suitable measures to eradicate the nematodes should be taken. It may be expected that a fairly light degree of infestation of the soil is sufficient to cause appreciable damage.     

Application of a flowing solution culture technique to study the parasitic fitness of the nematode Radopholus similis on banana plantlets under two different nitrogen nutrient regimes

A flowing solution culture technique was used to study the effects of N nutrition on banana root infestation by the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis . Paired groups of banana plants were grown in separate compartments containing coarse sand (2–5 mm diameter). Input nutrient solutions had fixed compositions and identical total N concentrations. The two compartments differed in their NH₄⁺/total N concentrations, one receiving 0% NH₄⁺/total N (100% NO₃⁻/total N) and the other 60% NH₄⁺/total N (40% NO₃⁻/total N). The compartments were connected by a inverted T-shaped tube containing fine sand (200–250  μ m diameter) through which nematodes were inoculated. The pH and N concentrations of the output solution were determined at regular intervals. The pH of the output solution differed markedly between the two compartments, with values of 6.8 and 3.6 in the 0% and 60% NH₄⁺ compartments, respectively. In the compartment receiving 0% NH₄⁺, the number of nematodes in the roots and the growth of banana plants was significantly higher than in the compartment receiving 60% NH₄⁺. Even though they were more infested by nematodes, banana plants receiving 100% NO₃⁻ developed better than the less infested plants grown in the medium containing 40% NO₃⁻.     

中国南方稻田及其周边环境根结线虫种类鉴定

为了解根结线虫在中国南方稻区的分布和种类, 从15个省(直辖市/自治区)采集1 181份土样, 经生物测定发现312份土样中种植的水稻或番茄幼苗根系会产生根结, 阳性总检出率为26.42%。利用线虫特异性引物从171份阳性样品中鉴定出6种根结线虫:拟禾本科根结线虫Meloidogyne graminicola、北方根结线虫M.hapla、花生根结线虫M.arenaria、爪哇根结线虫M.javanica、象耳豆根结线虫M.enterolobii和南方根结线虫M.incognita, 分别占鉴定总样品数的88.89%、41.52%、29.82%、10.53%、4.09%和3.51%。被1、2、3、4、5、6种根结线虫混合侵染的土样比例分别为42.11%、41.52%、12.87%、2.92%、0.58%和0, 其中最常见的为拟禾本科根结线虫单独侵染(34.50%)、拟禾本科根结线虫与北方根结线虫(22.81%)或花生根结线虫(13.45%)混合侵染。本研究结果将为制定相应的传播阻断策略和防控措施提供参考。     

湖南柑橘根结线虫种类鉴定及特异性PCR检测

根结线虫病是严重危害湖南柑橘生产的主要病害,快速准确地进行病原线虫鉴定,从而制定针对性的防治措施,对柑橘产业的稳定发展至关重要。运用形态学和分子生物学技术对湖南永州地区柑橘根结线虫进行病原种类鉴定,确定其为番禺根结线虫Meloidogyne panyuensis。通过引物设计与筛选,建立了番禺根结线虫特异性PCR检测技术。结果表明,该检测方法特异性好,灵敏度高,操作简单,能有效地从多种根结线虫中特异性检测出番禺根结线虫,为柑橘病原线虫的快速检测鉴定提供技术支撑。     

Carbon Fixation and Partitioning in Coffee Seedlings Infested with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pratylenchuscoffeae</Emphasis>

The objective was to study CO₂ fixation and photoassimilate partition in coffee (Coffea arabica) seedlings infested with the lesion nematode Pratylenchus coffeae. Seedlings infested with 0, 1000 and 8000 Pratylenchus coffeae nematodes were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ and the incorporation and distribution of radioactivity were followed in the roots, stems and leaves. Fresh mass, pigments, soluble sugars, sucrose and specific radioactivity of sucrose in the plant parts were determined. At the highest level of infestation almost all the parameters were significantly changed showing the carbon fixation in the leaves and partitioning to the roots were decreased. Since lesion nematodes are not sedentary and do not form feeding sites that could be characterised as metabolic sinks, it is suggested that their damage is more readily expressed by the leaves, through a reduction in photosynthesis and phloem transport.     

Host-delivered RNAi-mediated root-knot nematode resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> by targeting <Emphasis Type="Italic">splicing factor</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">integrase</Emphasis> genes

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are one of the most important biotic factors limiting crop productivity in many crop plants. The major RKN control strategies include development of resistant cultivars, application of nematicides and crop rotation, but each has its own limitations. In recent years, RNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful approach for developing nematode resistance. The two housekeeping genes, splicing factor and integrase, of Meloidogyne incognita were targeted for engineering nematode resistance using a host-delivered RNAi (HD-RNAi) approach. Splicing factor and integrase genes are essential for nematode development as they are involved in RNA metabolism. Stable homozygous transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing dsRNA for both genes were generated. In RNAi lines of splicing factor gene, the number of galls, females and egg masses was reduced by 71.4, 74.5 and 86.6%, respectively, as compared with the empty vector controls. Similarly, in RNAi lines of the integrase gene, the number of galls, females and egg masses was reduced up to 59.5, 66.8 and 63.4%, respectively, compared with the empty vector controls. Expression analysis revealed a reduction in mRNA abundance of both targeted genes in female nematodes feeding on transgenic plants expressing dsRNA constructs. The silencing of housekeeping genes in the nematodes through HD-RNAi significantly reduced root-knot nematode infectivity and suggests that they will be useful in developing RKN resistance in crop plants.     

Interaction of Root-knot Nematodes (RKN) and the Bacterium Agrobacterium Tumefaciens in Roots of Prunus Cerasifera: Evidence of the Protective Effect of the Ma RKN Resistance Genes Against Expression of Crown Gall Symptoms

Agrobacterium tumefaciens (AT) is the causal agent of crown gall, a major problem in the family Rosaceae and particularly for Prunus spp. Crown gall symptoms result from the bacterial infection of the cells damaged mechanically at the collar or by root parasitic nematodes. Myrobalan plum (P. cerasifera) is susceptible to AT and is not a host for the root-knot nematode (RKN), M. hapla. Some clones of this plum carry single Ma resistance genes that control M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica. The four above mentioned RKN and Myrobalan progenies segregating for Ma were used in experiments aimed at obtaining a better knowledge of the interaction between AT and RKN in relation to the RKN resistance genes. Prunus rooted cuttings, naturally infected with the bacterium were repotted, grown and inoculated individually with RKN. In a first experiment, Prunus plants were (i) either inoculated with 10,000 juveniles (J2s) of M. arenaria to provide a short inoculum pressure (SIP) or (ii) inoculated by association with one M. arenaria-galled tomato root system that produced a high and durable inoculum pressure of the same nematode species. Four months after RKN inoculation, plants were rated for nematode and bacterial root galling symptoms. RKN and AT galls were more numerous and more homogenous under DIP than under SIP. Nevertheless, for both inoculum regimes, AT galls were present in the RKN-susceptible clones (= carrying none of the Ma genes) and absent in the RKN-resistant clones. Subsequent experiments, conducted under DIP with M. arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica and M. hapla, also showed, for the three first species, the presence of AT galls only in RKN-susceptible clones whereas Prunus plants inoculated with M. hapla and nematode-free controls were free of AT galls. Consequently RKN act as a wound agent in the AT infection process of Myrobalan plum only when the plant develops a compatible reaction (i.e. when it lacks the Ma resistance genes). Considering that J2s do penetrate the roots of resistant plants, the absence of crown gall symptoms on this material even under durable inoculum pressure strengthens the hypothesis that this nematode stage has a very weak effect on plant cells during the infection process. This is the first evidence of the protective effect of a RKN resistance gene against the expression of root crown gall consecutive to RKN infection. The protective effect of Ma and presumably of other RKN resistance genes against AT is a strong argument for their introgression into Prunus and other Rosaceae or bacterium-susceptible crops.     

Stimulation of respiratory pathways in tomato roots infested by Meloidogyne incognita

Respiration of tomato roots susceptible and resistant to Meloidogyne incognita was measured during infestation. No significant changes in respiratory rate occurred in susceptible tomato roots, during infestation by M. incognita. In resistant tomato roots, a pronounced increase of both cyanide-sensitive and cyanide-resistant oxidases, was observed during nematode attack. The time-course of the respiration during 12 days, after nematode inoculation, showed that resistant tomato roots responded with a rapid increase in cyanide-sensitive and cyanide-resistant respiration as invading nematodes progressed; no changes were observed in the susceptible tomato roots.Change in the rate of oxygen uptake paralleled an increase in nematode density in resistant tomato roots; oxygen uptake rose linearly to an infestation level of 50 juveniles for each seedling, above which value it declined. The physiological significance of the alternative respiratory pathway is discussed.     

Post‐infection development and histopathology of Meloidogyne arenaria race 1 on Arachis spp.

The reproductive behaviour of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria race 1 was compared on two wild species of Arachis (A. duranensis and A. stenosperma) and cultivated peanut (A. hypogaea cv. IAC‐Tatu‐ST). The three species were considered moderately susceptible, resistant, and susceptible, respectively. Penetration and development of the root‐knot nematode in the resistant species was reduced in comparison with that occurring in susceptible plants. Several cell features, including dark blue cytoplasm and altered organelle structure were observed in the central cylinder of A. stenosperma, indicating a hypersensitive‐like response (HR) of infested host cells. Neither giant cells, nor nematodes developed beyond the second stage, were found on A. stenosperma. Arachis duranensis showed a delay in the development of nematodes in the roots compared to A. hypogaea. The two wild peanut species were chosen to be the contrasting parents of a segregating population for mapping and further investigation of resistance genes.     

Plant protection problems caused by phytonematodes in Greece1

The major nematode pests of cultivated plants in Greece include root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. (in almost all plants except citrus), cyst-forming nematodes Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida (in potato), Heterodera avenae (in cereals), Ditylenchus dipsaci (in vegetables and ornamental plants) and Tylenchulus semipenetrans (in citrus). Based on observations made on samples examined at Benaki Phytopathological Institute, it was confirmed that serious infestation of new kiwi orchards with Meloidogyne spp. originated from seedlings infested at the nursery. Also the wide distribution of the nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans in citrus orchards was mainly attributed to infested seedlings. The above observations led us, in 1985, to the decision to study the nematological fauna of nurseries in Greece.     

Response of root traits of Reaumuria soongorica and Salsola passerina to facilitation

C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. In the present study, the root traits including root distribution, root length(RL), root surface area(RSA), root weight(RW) and specific root length(SRL) of both species in two growth forms were investigated to clarify their response to facilitation in associated growth. Six isolated plants of each species, as well as six associated plants similar in size and development were selected during the plant growing season, and their roots were excavated at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm soil depths at the end of the growing season. All the roots of each plant were separated into the two categories of fine roots(2 mm diameter) and coarse roots(≥2 mm diameter). Root traits such as RL and RSA in the fine and coarse roots were obtained by the root analyzing system WinRHIZO. Most of the coarse roots in R. soongorica and S. passerina were distributed in the top 10 cm of the soil in both growth forms, whereas the fine roots of the two plant species were found mainly in the 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depths in isolated growth, respectively. However, the fine roots of both species were mostly overlapped in 10–20 cm soil depth in associated growth. The root/canopy ratios of both species reduced, whereas the ratios of their fine roots to coarse roots in RL increased, and both species had an increased SRL in the fine roots in associated growth. In addition, there was the increase in RL of fine roots and content of root N for S. passerina in associated growth. Taken together, the root growth of S. passerina was facilitated for water and nutrient exploration under the interaction of the overlapped roots in both species in associated growth, and higher SRL allowed both species to more effectively adapt to the infertile soil in the desert ecosystem.     

The use of infrared spectroscopy and machine learning tools for detection of Meloidogyne infestations

Plant parasitic nematodes are generally soilborne pathogens that attack plants and cause economic losses in many crops. The infested plants show nonspecific symptoms or, often, are symptomless; therefore, diagnosis is performed by taking soil and root tissue samples. Here, we show that a combination of different infrared spectra analysis and machine learning algorithms can be used to detect plant parasitic nematode infestations before symptoms become visible, using leaves instead of roots and soil as samples. We found that tomato and guava plants infested with Meloidogyne enterorlobii produced different spectral patterns compared to uninfested plants. Using partial spectra from 1,450 to 900/cm as the "fingerprint region", principal component analyses indicated that after 5 (tomatoes) or 8 weeks (guava), plants with no visible symptoms of infestations were positively diagnosed. To improve the early detection response, we used machine learning modelling. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to obtain more robust, accurate models. The SVM model contained 34 support vectors, 17 for each level. The overall performance of the model was >97% and the total accuracy was significantly higher, demonstrating the absence of chance prediction. The best prediction of infestation was obtained at the second and fourth weeks for tomatoes and guavas, respectively, reducing the diagnostic time by half. The combined application of these techniques reduces the processing time from field to laboratory and shows enormous advantages by avoiding root and soil sampling.     

A high-throughput method for early screening of coffee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea</Emphasis> spp.) genotypes for resistance to root-knot nematodes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne</Emphasis> spp.)

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) threaten the livelihood of millions of farmers producing coffee worldwide. The use of resistant plants either as cultivars or rootstocks appears to be the single most effective method of control. A screening method was developed to evaluate large populations of plants for resistance to root-knot nematodes. Two coffee cultivars, one susceptible and the other resistant to Meloidogyne paranaensis, were grown under controlled conditions in two substrates: a commercial sieved potting compost and an inert substrate containing sand with a water-absorbent synthetic polymer. Plant growth and development and nematode multiplication were compared for two inoculation dates (2 and 8 weeks after planting) and two evaluation dates (eight and 13 weeks after inoculation). Root growth, but not nematode multiplication, was influenced by the choice of substrate. Evaluation of the differences in root weight and nematode numbers between the different cultivars, substrates and dates of inoculation suggested that an optimal condition could be defined. The best discrimination between susceptible and resistant plants was found in the experiment where inoculation occurred at 2 weeks after planting and evaluation occurred at 8 weeks after inoculation. Because the total duration of this experiment was only 3 months, high-throughput evaluation was possible, opening up new possibilities for screening large germplasm collections and studying the genetic control of root-knot nematode resistance in coffee.     

Effect of inorganic phosphatic fertilizers on the efficacy of an arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus against a root-knot nematode on pyrethrum

Effects of triple super phosphate (TSP) and single super phosphate (SSP) fertilizers on efficacy of a Glomus sp. (isolate KS 14) against Meloidogyne hapla were determined. The fertilizers were applied at 150 and 300 kg ha -1 at the time of fungus inoculation. Two months later, plants were inoculated with the nematodes. Plant growth and nematode disease parameters were determined 2 months after nematode inoculation. The fertilizers at both levels improved plant growth in all treatments. In general, the fungus improved plant growth on its own or in the presence of nematodes, but not in the presence of fertilizers. Both fertilizers at both levels were more effective in improving plant growth than the fungus. The fungus showed sensitivity to inorganic P fertilizers in that the fertilizers significantly reduced fungal root colonization and its pyrethrum growth stimulative effects. The fungus suppressed nematode disease severity unlike the fertilizers. The suppressive effects of the fungus on the nematodes were in most cases reduced by the fertilizers. The nematodes, unlike the fertilizers, did not have any significant effects on root colonization by the fungus or on its ability to improve pyrethrum growth. The presence of nematodes in fertilizer or fertilizer-fungus-treated plants, however, significantly reduced pyrethrum growth.     

活性氧与木质素对细菌Sneb825诱导番茄抵抗南方根结线虫侵染的响应

 根结线虫病严重威胁各类蔬菜作物的生产,是世界上最难防治的土传病害之一。利用生防细菌能够有效地控制蔬菜根结线虫种群数量并降低危害。荧光假单胞菌Sneb825是本实验室筛选出的对南方根结线虫病具有较高防效的生防细菌。本研究通过盆栽试验、裂根试验和温室试验验证了荧光假单胞菌Sneb825诱导番茄抗南方根结线虫侵染的防治效果;通过酶联免疫法(ELISA)和实时荧光定量PCR检测了番茄根系内活性氧与木质素含量及其相关基因表达量的变化。研究发现,Sneb825菌株发酵液不但能够有效降低南方根结线虫对番茄的侵染,而且对番茄植株有显著的促生作用。Sneb825菌株发酵液灌根处理并接种南方根结线虫二龄幼虫后,番茄根系内活性氧(10 dpi)和木质素含量(5 dpi)显著高于空白对照;活性氧合成相关基因RBOH1(10 dpi)和过氧化物酶基因Ep5C(10 dpi)以及木质素合成相关基因Tpx1(5 dpi)的表达量均达到最高值。研究结果表明活性氧和木质素的大量积累是荧光假单胞菌Sneb825诱导番茄抑制南方根结线虫侵染的防御对策之一。荧光假单胞菌可以有效的防治根结线虫病,在农业生产实践中具有潜在的应用前景。     

Effects of crop rotation and removal of crop debris on the soil population of two isolates of Verticillium dahliae

Microsclerotia of Verticillium dahliae are produced in large numbers on senescing parts of host plants and remain viable in the soil for many years. Changes in the population density, i.e. density of microsclerotia, in the soil were measured in micro-plots using two isolates of V. dahtiae , specific to either field bean or potato, several crop sequences comprising potato, field beans and barley, and either the removal of aerial debris of the crops or incorporation into soil.
Potato was more susceptible to the potato isolate and field bean more susceptible to the field bean isolate. Removal of debris of potato and field bean reduced numbers of microsclerotia in the soil in the subsequent years, but removal of barley straw had no effect. Initially non-infested control micro-plots became infested, probably by the growth of potato roots into the naturally infested subsoil. The rate of increase of the microsclerotial population in the non-infested control micro-plots was larger than in the initially infested treatments, because more colonized debris was produced. It is concluded that removal of aerial debris of host crops is important to reduce the soil population of V. dahtiae.     

Evaluation ofAmaranthus sp. andVernonia amygdalina, and soil amendments with poultry manure for the management of root-knot nematodes on eggplant

The suppressive effect of vernonia (Vernonia amygdalina), amaranth (Amarathus sp.) and poultry manure on root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) infecting eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon) was studied at two sites in southern Benin naturally infested with these nematodes. After 3 months, soil and root-inhabiting RKN populations were significantly less (P≦0.05) in the plots cropped with vernonia, amaranth, and eggplant amended with poultry manure (PM) at the rate of 40 t ha⁻¹ as compared with the rate of 20 t ha⁻¹ and with the control. Poultry manure was more effective after 2 months than after 3 months. Overall, vernonia was the most effective treatment affecting RKN populations in the roots and the soil. The use of these treatments in nematode management through rotation and co-planted crops is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting August 6, 2008.     

Effect of Temperature on and Histopathology of the Interaction Between Meloidogyne incognita and Thielaviopsis basicola on Cotton

ABSTRACT Controlled environments were used to study the relationship between the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and Thielaviopsis basicola on cotton. Temperature treatments were continuous 20, 24, and 28 degrees C or two cyclic linear regimes with ranges of 14 to 32 or 18 to 28 degrees C over 24 h. Cotton seeds were planted in fumigated soil infested with T. basicola, M. incognita, or both. After 42 days, pathogen effects on plant growth and pathogen development were evaluated. Histology was conducted on roots collected 14, 28, and 42 days after planting in the continuous 24 degrees C treatment. Reductions in plant height-to-node ratio and total fresh weight were observed for soils infested with both pathogens compared with the control or with soils infested with either pathogen, except for M. incognita-infested soil at 28 degrees C. T. basicola reduced root galling and reproduction of the nematode at all temperatures. Vascular discoloration caused by T. basicola was greater in the presence of M. incognita compared with that by T. basicola alone. At 2 and 4 weeks, histological studies showed that plants grown in all T. basicola-infested soils contained chlamydospore chains on the root surface and in cortical cells. The fungus was not observed inside the vascular cylinder. Roots from 4-week-old plants from soils infested with T. basicola and M. incognita showed fungal sporulation in vascular tissue and localized necrosis of vascular tissue adjacent to the nematodes. At 6 weeks, plants grown in soil infested with T. basicola alone exhibited no remaining cortical tissue and no evidence of vascular colonization by the fungus. Six-week-old plants grown in T. basicola + M. incognita-infested soils exhibited extensive vascular necrosis and sporulation within vascular tissue. These studies suggest that coinfection expands the temperature ranges at which the pathogens are able to cause plant damage. Further, M. incognita greatly increases the access of T. basicola to vascular tissue.     

Rice nematode problems in Nigeria: Their occurrence,distribution and pathogenesis

Abstract

In a survey of plant parasitic nematodes associated with or affecting rice throughout Nigeria, some important nematode pests, especially the white tip disease nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi and the rice root nematodes Hirschmanniella spinicaudata and H. oryzae were identified from seed, soil and root samples from swamp rice fields respectively. The sugarcane cyst nematode, Heterodera sacchari occurred in swamp rice fields only around the major sugarcane estates in Nigeria. The root‐knot Meloidogyne incognita and the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus brachyurus were also encountered in upland (rainfed) rice fields. The white tip disease nematode, A. besseyi occurred at low levels in soils and rice seeds throughout the country. High population levels of H. spinicaudata and H. oryzae were encountered especially in areas where monoculture of rice is practised. General chlorosis, poor tillering and significantly reduced yield have been observed due to H. spinicaudata. Rice plants attacked by H. sacchari also showed intense chlorosis, delayed and reduced tillering and reduced grain yield. The roots of attacked plants were twiggy, very necrotic and blackened. The root‐knot M. incognita and the root lesion nematodes P. brachyurus have both been observed to reduce rice yields. Rice cultivars screened for reactions to the nematodes showed varying degrees of susceptibilities. Some varieties were however resistant to the root‐knot nematode, M. incognita.     

Pathogenicity and reproductive fitness of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pratylenchus coffeae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Radopholus arabocoffeae</Emphasis> on Arabica coffee seedlings (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> cv. Catimor) in Vietnam

The pathogenicity and reproductive fitness of Pratylenchus coffeae and Radopholus arabocoffeae from Vietnam on coffee (Coffea arabica) seedlings cv. Catimor were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. The effect of initial population densities (Pi = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 nematodes per cm³ soil) was studied for both species at different days after inoculation (dai). The data were adjusted to the Seinhorst damage model Y = m + (1-m).z^Pi-T. Tolerance limit (T) for P. coffeae was zero for the height and the diameter of the coffee plants. For the diameter, the T-value for R. arabocoffeae was 25.6 for 30 and 60 dai and 12.8 for 90 and 120 dai. After 4 months T was zero. The low tolerance limits indicate that Arabica coffee is highly intolerant to both nematode species. At the end of the experiment (180 dai), all plants were infected and most were dead when inoculated with R. arabocoffeae at initial densities of 32, 64, 128 and 256 nematodes/cm³ soil. For P. coffeae plant death was already observed at the lowest inoculation densities. Growth of coffee was reduced at all inoculation levels for both species. Pratylenchus coffeae and R. arabocoffeae caused intense darkening of the roots, leaf chlorosis and a strong reduction of root and shoot growth. It was observed that P. coffeae mainly destroyed lateral roots rather than tap roots, whereas R. arabocoffeae reduced tap root length rather than the lateral roots. At the lowest inoculum densities, the reproduction factor of P. coffeae was 2.38 and 2.01 for R. arabocoffeae, indicating that arabica coffee is a host for both species. Plant growth as expressed by shoot height and shoot and root weight measured 60 dai was negatively correlated with nematode (both species) density as expressed by the geometric mean of nematode numbers at 30 and 60 dai.