Chemo-oriented sex attraction in a plant parasitic nematode, Hirschmanniella oryzae

Abstract

During the present observations on the sex attraction behaviour of H. oryzae it was observed that both the sexes produced attractants which resulted in a mutual response towards each other. Males of H. oryzae were more responsive than females. There was no attraction of males towards male attractants and females towards female attractants. The distance of nematode inoculation and the period of nematode exposure to attractants influenced the degree of attraction. Significant correlations were observed between the attraction (Mean Score) and the period of nematode exposure to attractants.