Seasonal population fluctuations of Heterodera Zeae, Rotylenchulus reniformis and Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris in maize-cowpea-wheat rotation

Studies on population fluctuation of the maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae, under field conditions, with maize-cowpea-wheat rotation, revealed one high peak coinciding with crop maturity, indicating host specificity. The reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis and the stunt nematode, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris, maintained their populations without major fluctuations. T. vulgaris did not show any host preference while R. reniformis multiplied well on cowpea and maize.