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Two efficient, semi-automatic elutriators for assaying soil samples for nematodes are described. The first apparatus is a four-unit elutriator which combines conventional extraction methods with the following major features: automatic mixing of 500- to 1,500-cm(3) soil samples with water (+/- air); "turbinate" sample splitters from which fractions of 1/15 or greater are passed onto 26- or 38-microm sieves for collection of larvae and adult nematodes; the capacity for collecting roots, intact egg masses, and cysts on 250-425-microm sieves; and a variable speed motorized sieve-shaker. Nematodes, after being collected on 38-microm sieves, are separated from debris by centrifugation or by Baermann trays. Secondary features include: air cylinders, solenoid valves, and time clock for automatic dumping residual soil and water; relay-controlled coarse spray nozzles activated for 5 sec every 30 sec for washing nematodes through 250-425-mum sieves; adjustable rates of water amt air flow, and tinting. The second type of elutriator operates on similar principles but costs less to construct. It requires somewhat more operator participation; sieve spraying is carried out by the operator, anti elutriators are dumped manually. Both elutriators also show promise for monitoring populations of certain other soil microorganisms.

In a greenhouse pot experiment on the pathogenicity and interactions of Meloidogyne incognita, M. hapla and Pratylenchus brachyurus on four cultivars o f tobacco the cultivars 'Hicks' and 'NC 2326' were susceptible to each nematode and "NC 95' and 'NC 2512' resistant only to M. incognita.Mean heights of susceptible plants were depressed but fresh weight of tops did not differ significantly. Meloidogyne spp. increased fresh weight of susceptible (but not the resistant) roots.Reproduction of M. incognita was decreased in the presence of P. brachyurus in one case. M. hapla reproduction was less with either of the other nematodes in five out of eight cases. In 12 combinations involving P. brachyurus, reproduction of this species was depressed in seven, not affected in four and increased in one.Mechanisms involved in associative interactions were not identified but appeared to be indirect and to involve individual host-nematode responses.

Storage of nematodes in soil at -15 C for 1 to 16 weeks greatly increased nematode recovery by a sugar-flotation-sieving procedure. One week of exposure to -15 C killed all nematodes except Pratylenchus zeae and Tylenchorhynchus claytoni which were recoverable in decreasing numbers up to 10 weeks by the Baermann funnel method. Optimum storage temperature for survival of most nematode species was 13 C. The numbers of Meloidogyne incognita, T. claytoni, Belonolaimus Iongicaudatus, and P. zeae recoverable by either extraction method remained constant or increased when stored at 13-24 C for 16 weeks. This was also true for Helicotylenchtts dihystera and Xiphinema americanum extracted by the Baermann funnel technique, whereas the numbers retrieved by the sugar-flotation-sieving method decreased slightly. All species except T. claytoni decreased appreciably in soil stored at 36 C.

Seasonal fluctuations in field populations of Meloidogyne spp. (M. incognita and M. hapla), Pratylenchus zeae, Criconemoides ornatum, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, and Helicotylenchus dihystera were determined monthly for 1 year by three extraction procedures. Baermann funnel method (BF) gave highest recoveries of Meloidogyne spp. and P. zeae during summer and fall, but centrifugal-flotation (CF) and sugar-flotation-sieving (SFS) usually yielded higher numbers of these nematodes during winter and spring. CF was t h e only effective method for recovery of C. ornatum with maximum numbers occurring in September. Recoveries of T. claytoni were similar with all methods in summer and fall. However, BF gave low numbers in winter and spring, whereas population peaks with the flotation methods occurred in January and February. All methods gave similar recoveries of B. longicaudatus with highest numbers occurring in November and December. This species declined drastically in late winter and spring. Yields of H. dihystera were similar for all three methods with CF consistently higher and the major peaks occurring in August.

A procedure for extracting eggs of Meloidogyne spp. from soil was developed by modifying and combining certain existing techniques. Egg masses were elutriated from the soft, gelatinous matrices of the egg masses were dissolved, and the dispersed eggs were stained to facilitate counting. Data on egg population densities thus obtained facilitate the study of population dynamics of Meloidogyne spp. and the analysis of root-knot epidemics.