A CENTRIFUGATION METHOD FOR ATTACHING ENDOSPORES OF PASTEURIA SPP TO NEMATODES

Attachment of relatively low numbers of endospores from two isolates o f Pasteuria spp. to several species of nematodes was consistently achi eved in 2-5 minutes with a centrifugation technique. The rate of attac hment of Pasteuria penetrans at 10(4) endospores/0.1 ml/tube to second -stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidagyne javanica, M. incognita race 1, M. incognita race 3, and M. arenaria races 1 and 2 in two tests averaged 4.4, 5.2, 0.1, 0.3, and 0 endospores per J2, respectively. The rate o f attachment Pasteuria sp. at 10(3) endospores/0.1 ml/tube to individu als of Hoplolaimus galeatus, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, M. arenaria r ace 1, M. javanica, and M. incognita race 1 in two tests averaged 0.8, 0.04, 0, 0, and 0 endospores per nematode, respectively. The rate of attachment of P. penetrans to M. javanica at 10(3), 10(4), or 10(5) en dospores/0.1 ml/tube from two tests averaged 1.0, 5.7, and 28.3 endosp ores per J2, respectively. All of the J2 had endospores attached follo wing centrifugation in tubes with 10(4) and 10(5) endospores/0.1 ml/tu be.