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Reduction of Electrical Resistance in Sunflower Roots Infected with Lesion Nematodes. David T. Kaplan, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01002, Present address of senior author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside 92502; Terry A. Tattar(2), and R. A. Rohde(3). (2)(3)Assistant Professor, and Professor, respectively: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01002. Phytopathology 66:1262-1264. Accepted for publication 25 March 1976. Copyright © 1976 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-1262.

Decreases in the electrical resistance of sunflower root tissue infected with Pratylenchus penetrans indicated that, changes had occurred in infected tissues within 3-6 hours although lesions were not evident until 16-24 hours after inoculation. No changes in electrical resistance or discoloration of tissues were detected in lesion nematode-infected corn root tissue even at 24 and 43 hours after inoculation. Changes in electrical resistance were not detected in tissues 2 cm from the inoculation site of either of the species tested. A technique to determine accurately the electrical resistance of vegetative tissue is described.