Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-j4x9h Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-11T06:03:39.542Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The monoxenic culture of beet eelworm (Heterodera schachtii Schm.) on excised roots of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

F. Moriarty
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Cambridge†

Extract

A method is described for obtaining sterile second-instar larvae of beet eelworm, Heterodera schachtii Schm., and culturing them to the adult stage on sterile excised roots of sugar beet, Beta vulgaris L. It was shown that beet eelworm is a primary pathogen, for sound uninjured radicles were invaded by larvae, and normal development of adult males and females followed. No females were fertilized, and no eggs were produced, which suggested that parthenogenesis cannot occur. Eelworm development stimulated the production of lateral roots. More adult females developed on radicles inoculated 24 hr. after excision than on radicles inoculated 72 hr. after excision, which may be related to the occurrence of maximum root extension during the first few days after excision. It is suggested that there are two parts in root tissue reactions: a thickening of cell walls as a wound reaction to mechanical injury, and formation of a syncytium in response to a chemical stimulus from the eelworm.

I thank my wife for assistance with this work, which was financed by the Sugar Beet Research and Education Committee.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1964

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable