Effect of soil pH on development of Pratylenchus brachyurus populations in pineapple roots

In two field experiments conducted in Ivory Coast, Pratylenchus brachyurus populations developed most rapidly in pineapple roots in plots with the lowest soil pH. Differences between population levels associated with differences in soil pH decreased progressively during crop growth, and disappeared after flower induction, suggesting that soil pH influenced the plant-parasite relationships before or during penetration of the roots. The results with pineapple confirmed previous observations made in other food crops with P. brachyurus and could help explain the high impact of this nematode on pineapple, which is generally cultivated in low pH soils in Ivory Coast. Thus, soil amendments that modify soil pH may be alternatives for integrated control of P. brachyurus in pineapple. (Résumé d'auteur