Response of soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) to gradients of pH and inorganic salts

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes are able to sense and respond to gradients of chemical signals. How pH and inorganic salts in the rhizosphere affect nematode accumulation and host-seeking is poorly understood. We investigate the response of different groups of plant-parasitic nematodes to pH and salt concentration gradients. Responses of infective juveniles (J2) of the economically important plant-parasitic nematodes, soybean cyst nematodes (SCN; Heterodera glycines) and root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne incognita and M. hapla) to pH and salt gradients were assessed using Pluronic F-127 gel-based assays. Microelectrodes were utilized to measure pH and ion concentration gradients in the gel. Differences were found between the three nematode species in response to acid, base and salts. For SCN, maximum nematode accumulation was between pH range 4.98–5.46 in an acid gradient, while the preferred alkaline pH ranges were 8.40–8.78 and 9.52–9.99. The preferred Cl− concentration for SCN attraction was 171–256 mM. RKN showed weak attraction to base and salt at low J2 concentration but increasing attraction at a greater nematode concentration. The pH and inorganic salts affect nematode behavior, accumulation, and survival. These findings provide new considerations for strategies to manage plant-parasitic nematodes under field conditions.