EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE IN-VITRO REPRODUCTION OF APHELENCHOIDES RUTGERSI

The effect of temperature on egg production, hatching and the life cyc le from adult to adult of Aphelenchoides rutgersi was investigated in vitro. The optimum temperature for the reproduction of A. rutgersi was 28 degrees C. At this temperature, a freshly matured female deposited on average 60 eggs during the first 11 days of its reproductive perio d; hatching started on day 2; egg viability was about 80 % in sterile tap water and over 95 % in axenic medium; minimum development time was 6 days; and the time required for a 100 % increase in adult females w as slightly more than 8 days. At 33 degrees C, A. rutgersi was unable to increase its population. As the temperature decreased below 28 degr ees C, fewer eggs were produced, hatching started later, and both mini mum and mean generation time were at least 2 days longer.