Two Xiphinema americanum-group species from Senegal were successfully cultu
red on plants in the laboratory and the effects of host plant. temperature
and soil moisture were evaluated. Soil temperature had most effect while so
il moisture had no effect on multiplication. Greatest reproduction rates we
re observed for one species on Pennisetum typhoides (millet) and for the ot
her species on Sorghum vulgare. These two gramineous species were better ho
sts than the legumes Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Arachis hypogaea (peanu
t). Multiplication was greater when plants were inoculated with freshly ext
racted nematodes.