Short Life of Peach Trees Induced by Criconemella xenoplax. A. P. Nyczepir, Former Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631. E. I. Zehr, Professor, S. A. Lewis, Associate Professor, and D. C. Harshman, Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631. Plant Dis. 67:507-508. Accepted for publication 1 October 1982. Copyright 1983 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-507.

Rooted Nemaguard peach cuttings in biodegradable pots in the greenhouse were inoculated with 5,800 Criconemella xenoplax and a low population of Tylenchorhynchus claytoni and transplanted 1 mo later into lysimeter tanks previously fumigated with methyl bromide. Within 4 yr after transplanting, nine of 10 inoculated trees died after showing cold injury symptoms typically associated with peach tree short life. Cold injury also occurred in one control tree that became infested with C. xenoplax during the first year after planting but not in control trees that were not infested during the 4-yr period.

Keyword(s): cold injury.