Effect of temperature and soil type on penetration of Pratylenchus zeae in sugarcane

Influence of temperature (15–29°C) on penetration of Pratylenchus zeae in roots of sugarcane varieties (Co 6304, Co 8021, CoC 671, and CoC 85061) cultivated in 3 soil types (clay, sandy and clay loamy) were investigated. Temperatures between 26 and 28°C induced greatest penetration of P. zeae irrespective of soil type. Among all varieties CoC 671 was highly susceptible to P. zeae whereas in the varieties Co 6304, CoC 85061 and Co 8021 the rate of penetration reduced in the descending order. Among the soil types rate of penetration in descending order occurred in clay, sandy, cloy loamy respectively.