Enzymatic Digestion of Roots for Recovery of Root-knot Nematode Developmental Stages

Developmental stages of Meloidogyne javanica were successfully released from roots by treatment with commercially available cellulase and pectinase. The average percentage recovery of nematode developmental stages from Dolichos lablab, Elymus glaucus, and Lycopersicon esculentum were as follows: eggs = 526%, J2 = 272%, J3 = 783%, J4 = 549%, adult females = 285%, and total = 425%, expressed as percentages of the counts obtained from stained roots spread on glass plates. Root digestion was more accurate and sensitive in detecting low numbers of nematodes in roots than was the glass plate method. No simple linear, quadratic, or cubic relationship was found between the two methods that would allow a conversion factor to be developed.