Impact of durum and bread wheat variety choice on final root lesion nematode soil populations – Wongarbon 2018

Abstract

Key findings •Winter cereal crop and variety choice can have a large impact on the build-up of the nematode Pratylenchus thornei (Pt) population within paddocks which can then impact on the performance of following crops and/or varieties in the rotation. •Significant differences were evident amongst varieties with a 5.3 fold difference in final Pt populations between the best (PBICR-08-012TC-3) and worst (Mitch[PBR]). •Very susceptible varieties (e.g. Mitch[PBR]) should be avoided in paddocks where Pt is known to be present at any level as they can increase the population to high risk levels in one season. •Pratylenchus neglectus (Pn) was also present at the site at a much lower density than Pt with varietal differences in final populations evident. However, all varieties either maintained or lowered starting Pn levels at this site in 2018 which remained at a low level of risk.