SOME STUDIES ON PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODES OF SOME VEGETABLES IN SINGAPORE AND MALAYA

Abstract

An investigation of parasitic nematodes in some local vegetables had been carried out. The study included an examination of 17 host plants; Tobacco, a non-vegetable host was studied purely through interest, and its included in the host list. These were collected from 7 localities in Singapore, 5 in the Malay Peninsula. Altogether 16 genera of nematodes belonging to 4 families and 2 crders, were found. Of these, only 9 genera and 14 species were confirmed true parasites; 6 genera having been previously recorded in Singapore and the Malaya Peninsula, namely Rotylenchulus sp., Helicotylenchus sp., Meloidogyne sp., Hoplolaimus sp., Tylenchorhynchus sp., Pratylenchus sp. The species were classified, briefly described and illustrated by photographs and line-drawings. A simple key was constructed. A quantitative expression of field data and a"plant host-nematode" list were included. The results of my observations and sorue aspects of Plant Nematology were discussed. A reference collection of specimens was deposited in the Department of Zoology, University of Singapore.