Weed hosts of Ditylenchus dipsaci and D. destructor in Poland
In Poland, a study has been carried out in the Wielkopolska region to determine the presence and distribution of plant parasitic nematodes on weeds, as these could play an important role in the ecology of the nematodes. In 1993 and 1994, weed samples were collected during the vegetative period from 205 fields cultivated with typical crops of this region (barley, oat, rye, wheat, triticale, potatoes, sugar beet, rape). Approximately, 20 % of the fields were fallow. Among the 32 nematode species found, Ditylenchus destructor (EU Annex II/A2) and D. dipsaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) were observed. D. destructor was found on dicotyledonous weeds: Anthemis arvensis, Bertoroa incana, Lycopsis arvensis. In this region of Poland, D. destructor is known as a potato pest. In addition to the use of nematode-free seed potatoes, and rotation with cereals, it would also be useful to control dicotyledonous weeds for pest management. D. dipsaci was found in 3 plant samples: Stellaria media, Taraxacum officinale and Secale cereale. The authors noted that despite this low frequency, this nematode could easily infect cultivated plants because of its high reproductive potential and its ability for anabiosis.
Sources
Kornobis, S.; Wolny, S. (1997) Occurrence of plant parasitic nematodes on weeds in agrobiocenosis in the Wielkopolska region in Poland.
Fundamental and applied Nematology, 20(6), 627-632.