RELATIONSHIP OF PREPLANT POPULATION-DENSITIES OF MELOIDOGYNE-INCOGNITA TO DAMAGE IN 3 CHILE PEPPER CULTIVARS

Plant growth response and yield for three chile pepper (Capsicum annuu m) cultivars were evaluated at different preplant populations of Meloi dogyne incognita race 3 in microplots during two growing seasons. All cultivars were susceptible to M. incognita in sandy loam soil, with cv . New Mexico 6-4 being most severely damaged. Fruit weight of this cul tivar was reduced 10% at preplant nematode densities of 12 eggs and se cond-stage juveniles per 500 cm(3) of soil. Pod production was also su ppressed (P < 0.05) for cv. Sandia at 33 or more eggs and juveniles pe r 500 cm(3) of soil and for cv. Jalapeno at 95 or more eggs and juveni les. Soil populations of M. incognita in Jalapeno plots were lower tha n those associated with other cultivars at harvest. Low populations of M. incognita that potentially damage New Mexico 6-4 might require soi l bioassay techniques for detection.