NEM 6201 NEMATODE ECOLOGY

This is a 3-credit graduate course examining the biology and behavior of nematode populations and their interactions within the biological community and with the environment. Plant-parasitic nematodes and other soil-inhabiting forms will serve as examples. A previous knowledge of nematology may be helpful, but no nematode identification is involved, since the course is intended for both nematologist and nonnernatologist. Some mathematical treatment will be included, as appropriate for certain topics. The course will have two one-hour lectures and a one-hour discussion of current literature each week.

• Nematode life cycles; geographical distribution; dispersal.
• Horizontal and vertical spatial distribution of nematodes; sampling plans.
• Nematode extraction and population estimation.
• Survival: senescence, quiescence, cryptobiosis.
• Nematode population dynamics; life tables.
• Modeling nematode populations; simulation and predictive population models.
• Influence of the abiotic soil environment (texture, moisture, temperature, pH, oxygen, etc.) on nematodes and their dynamics.
• Nematode-host plant relationships; mechanisms of resistance.
• Nematode damage functions and thresholds; Seinhorst's hypothesis; tolerance.
• Nematode-nematode competition and interactions on host yield.
• Interactions of nematodes and other biotic factors on yield (nematode-fungi, nematodebacteria, nematode-virus, nematode-insect.
• Trophic relationships of soil nematodes; role of nematodes in decomposition.
• Diversity and community structure.
• Biomass, respiration, production, and energetics.
• Nematode management; effect of management strategies (crop rotation, resistant cultivars, nematicides) on nematode populations; environmental fate of nematicides.

  Optional Textbooks:
  Norton, D.C. 1978. Ecology of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes.
  Freckman, D.W. 1982. Nematodes in Soil-Ecosystems.