The influence of the actinomycete pasteuria penetrans on the host parasite relationship of the plant parasitic nematode meloidogyne javanica
Bird, A.F.
Parasitology 93(3): 571-580
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1820 Accession: 006701134
The actinomycete, Pasteuria penetrans, is a specific endoparasite of various plant-parasitic nematodes. When parasitizing the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) the nematode's capacity to reproduce is destroyed and feeding on and stimulation of the plant host are unaffected even though the bulbous body of the female nematode becomes filled with spores. Parasitism by the actinomycete does not alter the rate of growth in the early stages of nematode development although the non-parasitized female grows more rapidly than the parasitized one for a short time immediately after the final moult. Pasteuria did not invade or inactivate the anterior oesophageal region of the female Meloidogyne or influence the morphology of the giant cells induced by these nematodes in their hosts' roots. The influence of this parasite on the developmental physiology of its nematode host is discussed.