The influence of cyst nematodes and drought on potato growth. 3. Effects on carbon isotope fractionation

A good agreement was found between drought induced water-use efficiencies and carbon isotope fractionation of potato plants of the same age. Discrimination of¹³Carbon isotope increased with plant age and with the rank order of the distinguished plant organs. In young plants, nematode infection (contrary to drought) reduced¹³C discrimination but also reduced the water-use efficiency, leading to the conclusion that nematode infection, by slowing down the plant metabolism may have reduced the extrusion of¹³C. Towards senescence both nematode infection and drought reduced¹³C discrimination and increased water-use efficiencies indicating that then nematode caused water stress in the plants.