Abstract
On account of recent records ofDitylenchus radicicola (Greeff, 1872)Filipjev, 1936 in Dutch meadows, a study was made of its biology. Literature data were summarized. The eelworm attacks the roots of Gramineae and causes spiralshaped galls, which may contain up to 60 adults and some thousands of eggs and larvae each. Young larvae may actively hatch in water from whole, undecayed galls at temperatures around 17°C (Graph. 1). Root exudate of host plants did not stimulate the hatching process. The first larval stage is infective and may penetrate young root tips and also young galls (Fig. 1); it can withstand 2 month desiccation and also desinfection in a solution of an organic mercury compound. The host plant influences the number and size of the root galls (Graph. 2). Fig. 2 shows the anatomy of a young gall. The parasite is only found in grasses in this country and damage has not yet been found. Rye, wheat, barley and oats proved to be susceptible in inoculation trials; 17 plant species have been mentioned as natural hosts in different countries now and 3 are only found susceptible in inoculation trials.
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