VIEW ARTICLE

Physiology and Biochemistry

Effect of the Ring Nematode Upon Growth and Physiology of Peach Rootstocks Under Greenhouse Conditions. W. R. Okie, Research horticulturist, USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 87, Byron, GA 31008; C. C. Reilly, research plant pathologist, USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 87, Byron, GA 31008. Phytopathology 74:1304-1307. Accepted for publication 30 May 1984. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1984. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-74-1304.

Seedlings and herbaceous cuttings of cultivars Lovell and Nemaguard peach were grown for 8- 13 mo in soil with or without ring nematodes, Criconemella xenoplax (Cx). In seedlings and rooted herbaceous cuttings, the presence of Cx resulted in reduced root fresh and dry weights and reduced free amino acids of shoots and roots as measured by levels of ninhydrin-reactive compounds. The proportions of specific amino acids were changed. Molar percentage of proline, glycine, and alanine increased, whereas arginine decreased in roots of both seedlings and herbaceous cuttings in the presence of Cx. Levels of the cyanogenic glucoside prunasin decreased in stem tissue of cuttings and seedlings in the presence of Cx, but levels in the roots were increased.