What is the Optimal Way to Assess Meloidogyne spp. Reproduction in Greenhouse Pot Experiments?

Often research efforts that address both the practical concerns of managing Meloidogyne spp. and understanding their basic biology involve greenhouse reproduction assays. However, there is little consensus in regards to what parameters should be used to conduct greenhouse assays. The goal of this research was to evaluate how pot size, Meloidogyne spp. inoculation life stage, inoculation density, and time of assay impacted final reproduction factor (RF = initial nematode density/final nematode density) values. In experiments with M. incognita, the factor of the pot size mattered, with higher RF values in pots containing 500 g soil vs. pots with 100 g soil; larger pots containing 3,000 g soil did not have RF values different from the aforementioned sizes. Inoculating with M. incognita J2 resulted in RF values on average of >2 fold higher then when inoculating with eggs at comparable densities. Inoculation density of M. incognita did not have an impact on final M. incognita RF values. In experiments that considered time of assay, three species were evaluated: M. incognita, M. chitwoodi, and M. hapla. There was no difference in M. incognita RF values when assays were conducted for 5 wk, 6 wk, 7 wk, and 8 wk. However, a longer assay time resulted in higher RF values for M. hapla and M. chitwoodi, with at least a 7 week assay required. In conclusion, a moderate pot size (500 g of soil) inoculated with M. incognita J2 resulted in maximum RF values. The length of the assay required will depend on the Meloidogyne spp. in question, with longer duration assays required for M. hapla and M. chitwoodi than for M. incognita.