A SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE JUVENILES IN HYDROPONIC CULTURE

A hydroponic culture system that enables ready production and retrieval of freshly hatched, infective root-knot nematode juveniles was developed. Meloidogyne javanica-infected tomato plants produced at least 100,000 juveniles per day for as long as 3 mo. Juveniles reinfected roots within the culture system, which possibly accounts for the extended period of production. The hydroponically grown nematodes retained characteristic infectivity and host range. This culture system is useful when a cohort of uniform-age juveniles is required or for analyses in which high numbers of nematodes are needed.