Dr. Russ Ingham (Cordley 2076, 7-5255)
inghamr@science.oregonstate.edu

Nematodes are the most abundant multicellular animals on earth. They compose a large and diverse group of organisms that fill many important functions in natural and managed ecosystems. It is estimated that 50% are marine, 25% are free-living in soil or freshwater, 15% are animal parasites and 10% are plant parasites. These courses focus on biology and management of plant-parasitic nematodes with some mention of free-living nematodes in soil. Annual worldwide crop losses due to nematodes are estimated at $100 billion and US losses at $6 billion. Nematodes can also represent significant barriers to trade if agricultural products have been grown in fields with species considered to be quarantine pests. However, most nematodes in soil are beneficial and contribute to the soil ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. Structure of nematode communities serve as important indicators of soil health.

The majority of lab time will be spent on nematode identification. Students should leave this course with the ability to identify major plant-parasitic nematode genera on sight and key out most plant-parasitic nematodes encountered. Students will also be introduced to laboratory procedures, such as ways to extract nematodes from soil and plant tissue.

No text book is required. Dropkin, V. H. 1989. Introduction to Plant Nematology. Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, New York . 304 pp is a good reference book. It is out of print but may be available from on-line booksellers.

Copies are available to check out from Dianne Simpson, Cordley 2084

Links to power points are included