Host Suitability of Selected Hybrids, Varieties and Inbreds of Corn to Populations of Meloidogyne spp.

Rates of reproduction of root-knot nematodes on corn varied with Meloidogyne species, with different populations of certain species, and with corn cultivars. M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica reproduced at varying rates on all corn cultivars tested. None of the three selections of M. hapla reproduced on corn. Most of the Meloidogyne populations increased more rapidly on 'Coker' and 'Pioneer' hybrids than on 'McNair' hybrids or on open-pollinated varieties or inbreds. Nematodes often reduced root growth, but the differences within given nematode-cultivar treatments were not usually significant. Root growth of 'Coker 911,' which supported a high rate of reproduction, was affected less than 'Pioneer 309B' which supported a low rate of nematode reproduction.