Effect of red clover on hatching and population density of Heterodera glycines (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae)

Abstract

In order to assess the efficacy of red clover as a trap crop of Heterodera glycines, rates of hatching of H. glycines eggs in the root leachate, penetration of red clover roots by H. glycines juveniles and their development in the roots, and the effect of planting red clover on soil infestation of H. glycines were investigated. The rate of hatching of H. glycines eggs in the root leachate from red clover was significantly lower than the rates in the leachate from host plants but significantly higher than the rates in distilled water and in the leachate from fallow soil (no plants) and non-host plants. The number of second-stage juveniles that penetrated red clover roots was similar to the number that penetrated soybean roots, but only a few second-stage juveniles developed into third- or fourth-stage juveniles and none developed into adults in red clover roots. The population density of H. glycines in soil in which red clover had been planted decreased significantly compared with that in fallow soil (no plants) in both pot and field plot tests. From the results of these experiments, it was concluded that the use of red clover as a trap crop is a promising method for controlling H. glycines. Jpn. J. Nematol. 32 (2), 69-76 (2002).