Effect of Soil Water on Infectivity and Development of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Soybean, Glycine max.

The effect of soil water content on Rotylenchulus reniformis infectivity of 'Lee' soybean roots was investigated in an autoclaved sandy clay loam. Nematodes were introduced into soil masses maintained at constant soil water levels ranging from 3.4 to 19% by weight. Seedling growth and the soil water content-water potential relationships of the soil were determined. Nematode infectivity was greatest when the soil water content was maintained just below field capacity in the 7.2 (-1/3 bar) to 13.0% (-1/7 bar) ranges. Nematode invasion of roots was reduced in the wetter 15.5 (-1/10 bar) to 19.0% (-1 /2 0 bar) soil moisture ranges and in the dryer 3.4 (-15 bar) to 5.8% (-3/4 bar) soil moisture ranges.