Ditylenchus dipsaci

Ditylenchus dipsaci on Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata (24874581677)

File:Stem and Bulb nematode showing stylet.jpg

Stem and Bulb nematode showing stylet

File:Cluster of Stem and Bulb nematode.jpg

Cluster of Stem and Bulb nematode

File:This picture shows the symptoms of D. Dipsaci.jpg

This picture shows the symptoms of D. Dipsaci

Ditylenchus dipsaci is a plant-parasitic nematode species belonging to the family Anguinidae. It is commonly known as the stem and bulb nematode and is a significant agricultural pest affecting a wide range of host plants.

Description

Ditylenchus dipsaci is a microscopic roundworm, typically measuring between 1.0 to 1.7 mm in length. The nematode has a slender, cylindrical body with a well-developed stylet used for piercing plant cells and feeding on their contents. The life cycle of D. dipsaci includes egg, four juvenile stages, and adult stages, with the ability to reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically.

Host Plants

Ditylenchus dipsaci has a broad host range, infecting over 450 plant species. Some of the most commonly affected crops include:

• Allium cepa (onion)
• Allium sativum (garlic)
• Triticum aestivum (wheat)
• Medicago sativa (alfalfa)
• Solanum tuberosum (potato)
• Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean)

Symptoms

Infected plants exhibit a variety of symptoms depending on the host species and environmental conditions. Common symptoms include:

• Swelling and distortion of stems and leaves
• Stunted growth
• Yellowing and wilting of foliage
• Necrosis and rotting of bulbs and tubers

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Ditylenchus dipsaci involves several stages:

• Eggs are laid in plant tissues or soil.
• Juveniles hatch from eggs and undergo four molts before reaching adulthood.
• Adults can live in plant tissues or soil, where they continue to feed and reproduce.

The nematode can survive in a dormant state under unfavorable conditions, making it difficult to control.

Control Measures

Effective management of Ditylenchus dipsaci involves a combination of cultural, chemical, and biological control methods:

• Crop rotation with non-host plants
• Use of resistant plant varieties
• Soil fumigation and nematicides
• Sanitation practices to prevent the spread of nematodes

Related Pages

• Nematode
• Plant pathology
• Agricultural pest
• Integrated pest management