Pratylenchus penetrans (root lesion nematode), a new disease of Pinus radiata on sandy soils.  G. C. Marks, R. Winoto-Suatmadji and I. D. Christie.  August 1985.  12 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

The root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Chitwood & Oteifa, was recovered from the roots of stunted, chlorotic, wilting and recently dead Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine) seedlings growing in a forest nursery located on deep sands in South-western Victoria, Portland Region, adjacent to the South Australian border. Although species of Pratylenchus were recovered from P. radiata nursery soils in this region about 20 years ago, this is the first record of P. penetrans parasitising P. radiata in Australia.

Greenhouse and phytotron tests showed that P. penetrans could, by itself, cause the disease symptoms observed in the nursery, and that other soil pathogens did not contribute to the disease.

Pratylenchus penetrans was controlled by a single application of readily available proprietary brands of either liquid or granular nematicides, shortly after seedling germination. A significant 10-15% improvement in seedling height was obtained over that of even healthy-looking seedlings infested with nematodes.

Also published:

Marks, G.C., Winoto-Suatmadji, R. and Christie, I.D. (1985)  Pratylenchus penetrans (root lesion nematode) - cause of patch chlorosis of Pinus radiata seedlings.  Aust. For. 48 (2): 109-15.