NEMATOLOGY 100
Laboratory Exercise 16
Rev. 12/03/2008

Purpose:  Rhizosphere and soil biology in relation to nematode ecology and crop production.

1.   Slide presentation:  Soil Biology and Crop Production

2.   Examine the various nematode trapping fungi, including those with:
             adhesive mycelial networks (e.g.,  Monacrosporium eudermatum, Arthrobotrys oligospora);
             adhesive knobs (e.g.,  Monacrosporium ellipsosporum);
             adhesive hyphae (e.g.,  Monacrosporium cyanopagum, M. gephyrapagum);
             constricting ring traps (e.g.,  Arthrobotrys dactyloides);
             sticky spores (e.g.,  Meria coniospora and Hirsutella rhossiliensis).
        Examine the fungi and trap mechanisms in the petri dish - you may need to invert the dish and focus through the agar.

        Some plates seeded with nematodes last week.Meloidogyne J2 were added 16 hours ago.  A mixture of nematodes is available if you want to add more.  (*****Best to use Heterorhabditis for this demo****)

        Dissect out a small piece of mycelium containing nematodes and traps of each type, place on microscope slide and examine under the compound microscope.

3.   Diplogasterid nematodes as predators.  Pipette prey nematodes in a small amount of water onto Petri dishes with Pristionchus sp.  Observe for feeding.

4.   Powerpoint presentation: The soil food web.

5.  Videotapes:

                    a)  Arthrobotrys oligospora trap formation.
                    b)  Fungal predators of nematodes.

6.   Lab project reports.

7.  Term Project (Dear Becky Letter) discussion..

8.   Homework Assignment:

    NEMAPLEX Exercise
          Main Menu:
            Select...Management and Decision Support   
               Select...Antogonists of Nematodes
                           Review diversity of nematode antagonists.  
               Select...Nematode Management
                  Select...Reduction and Eradication: Biological
                        Review approaches.
                Select...Biological Management
                        Review approaches in biological management of nematodes.
            Return to Main Menu
           

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