DISTRIBUTION OF Heterodera schachtii Schmidt 1871 IN THE TOVARNIK AREA AND CURRENT OPTIONS FOR CONTROL

Abstract

Beet nematode is one of the most harmful pests of sugar beet. It was found on 194 ha in the Tovarnik area 37 years ago. As this is the sugar beet intensive production area, the aim of this study was to determine the present-day distribution of this pest. Sampling of 1159.49 ha of sugar beet fields and collecting of 692 soil samples were conducted in the period 2012-2014. Soil samples were processed using Spears flotation devices, cysts were identified according to morphological characteristics and population density was determined by crushing cysts in Huysman’s homogenizer. Population density was expressed by g of soil and used to determine the appropriate control measures. H. schachtii was found in 34.54% of the samples and 40% of sampled fields. Total infested area is 867.21 ha being evidence of conservation, but also significant expansion of H. schachtii in the Tovarnik area. Population density ranged from 0.06 to 20.72/ g of soil. By determining the population density and taking appropriate control measures, such as regular crop rotation, weed control, sowing of trap crops and tolerant varieties of sugar beet, increase of pest populations and allow long-term production of sugar beet can be prevented.

Keywords

• control
• distribution
• Heterodera schachtii
• sugar beet nematode