Extraction methods for Aphelenchoides besseyi
After the first finding of Aphelenchoides besseyi (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in rice seeds in the Province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna) in 1996 (EPPO RS 96/076), surveys have been conducted in Italy. The nematode has been detected at low levels in rice seeds in Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia, Piemonte and Veneto. Observations made in the fields in 1998 revealed the presence of symptoms on rice plants (white tips, dwarfing, crinkling of flag leaf). Several methods of nematode extraction from rice seeds were compared: the EPPO Phytosanitary Procedure which uses whole seeds (OEPP/EPPO, 1992) and methods used by the Regional Plant Protection Service in which crushed seeds, hulled seeds or chaff are soaked in water at room temperature. The highest number of nematodes was obtained after 48 hours of incubation in water at room temperature from rice chaff or crushed seeds. It appeared that the use of rice chaff as testing material is appropriate for quarantine purposes.
Sources
Moretti, F.; Cotroneo, A.; Tacconi, R.; Santi, R.; De Vincentis, F. (1999) [Damage from Aphelenchoides besseyi on rice and nematode extraction methods from rice seeds].
Informatore Fitopatologico, no. 3, 39-41.
OEPP/EPPO (1992) EPPO Standard PM 3/38(1) Aphelenchoides besseyi. Test method for rice seeds.
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 22(2), 217-218.