Population Growth of White tip Nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi) in Different Monoxenic Cultures

The reproductive range of the Iranian population of white tip nematode in rice, Aphelenchoides besseyi, was investigated in vitro to find out a suitable medium as well as a favorable fungal host for monoxenic culturing this nematode. Studies were carried out on rice seed associated fungi, pathogenic fungi and one mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) grown on three culture media, RPA (rice polish agar), OMA (oat meal agar) and PDA (potato dextrose agar). The nematode showed the greatest multiplication on Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum, Curvularia lunata and Magnaporthe salvini in OMA and on Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris oryzae and Pyricularia oryzae in PDA. Among the fungi, tested A. alternata, C. lunata, F. verticillioides, B. oryzae, M. salvini, F. proliferatum and P. oryzae supported a high reproduction rate in the nematode in a descending rank. The nematode failed to multiply on Aspergillus niger, Rhizoctonia solani and Agaricus bisporus grown on any of the three media. The highest sex ratio (F:M) was achieved on OMA but the highest male percentage ratio was observed on PDA. The two pathogenic fungi, B. oryzae and M. salvini are reported as new fungal hosts for monoxenic culturing of this nematode.