EFFECT OF THE ROOT-LESION NEMATODE ON YIELD OF FOUR FORAGE LEGUMES UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Foliage yields of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) were reduced by root-lesion nematodes [Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb, 1917) Filip. and Stekh, 1941]. Foliage yields generally decreased with increased infestation levels. Significant yield reductions were recorded at the time of first cutting for white clover and birdsfoot trefoil, but not until several cuts later for red clover and alfalfa. Mean yields of birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, alfalfa, and white clover infested with 7,500 nematodes per pail were 50, 73, 83, and 93%, respectively, of control yields.