Abstract

Trichodorus obtusus is a damaging stubby-root nematode encountered on turf. Few reports exist about the effects of T. obtusus feeding on turfgrass in field settings. A 2-year field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of T. obtusus on turf quality and root weight of Tifway bermudagrass and Empire zoysiagrass. Core samples and turf quality ratings were taken on multiple sampling dates, from plots at multiple locations in South Carolina, USA. Nematode population densities, root weights and turf quality were used to describe the linear and non-linear relationships between them. Zoysiagrass root weights increased, but turf quality decreased with nematode population density. Bermudagrass root weights and quality decreased in response to increased nematode population densities. Our results show that T. obtusus can cause significant reductions in turfgrass quality, and zoysiagrass and bermudagrass were able to tolerate low nematode population densities before turf quality reductions were detectable.

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