The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-09-08
AN EELWORM DISEASE
IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST

Washington, ID. G., Sept. 6.-The
occurrence and spread OF the bulb and
stem intesting nematode or eelworm
Clylcnchus dirsacD, which has been
recently found producing serious
disease of clover in the state of Ore
gon. should receive general attention,
especially in the northwest. Since it
was discovered in hyacinth bulbs at
Bellingham i'll 1913, it has been OBJ
served each successive year causing
damage to strawberries, onions, or
clover i'll other localities of the Pa
cific northwest.
Although the nematodc has been
automatically reported in this country
only on hyacinths, onions, narcissus,
clover, strawberries, and rye YET it is
;nown to attack in Europe many diff
fercnt species of plants. Some of the
more important crop plants attacked
IN addition to those mentioned are:
Barley, oats, wheat, alfalfa, turnip
kidney bean. broad bean, potato, flax,
Eea, and lupine. 1t causes the greatest
iamage perhaps to the hyacinth and
other dubious crops of Holland 1t is
particularly destructive TO certain
plants in Australia and has destroyed
extensive acreas Of alfalfa in south
ern Africa.
Many weeds and plants of less
| 'conomir Importance have also been
found to be attacked in foreign coun
rios. Some Of these are: Forget-me-
not. phlox plantain, spear grass, bind
weed, primrose, buttercup, soy this
| tic. penny cress, garlic, daisy. and
iteasel.
| Unfortunately, it has been recently
introduced into the United States and
| appears well established in some To-
tallles OF the Pacific northwest where
conditions seem favorable for it's re-
nrMuction and spread. Every effort
| should be made not only to prevent Its
| 'urthcr introduction into this country
| ,rt also to stop its spreading from
those localities already infected.
Effect on Hosts.
| On the alb -we-ground Parts of
plants the nematode in general pro-
i"ces characteristic distortions and
usually yellow to brown longitudinal
discolor"tions which clearly indicate
HE presence of the parasite. How
Yer, somewhat different effects are
induced On different groups of its
hosts. In hyachinths, onions and other
dubious crops, affected leaves are not
noticcably distorted or swollen, but
become decidedly yellow in longti-
tudnsl streaks, finally wilt, and die.
In more woody plants such as rye,
c2.s, clover and alfalfa, diseased
leaves and stems are distorted, thick
cned, and yellow and the whole plant
becomes dwarfed. When infested
plants are not killed by the parasite
they seldom reach maturity and us
ually fail to produce fruit
Although primarily a pest of the
aerial porti ms of plants, the nematode
occurs in tubers and bulbs and has
been reported on one plant, the hop,
as the cause of a root disease. In
onions and hyachinths the nematode
mgrates at the end of the growing
season from the leaves to- the bulb SO
that entire scales become invaded and
discolored. Such bulbs, if cut in cross
sections, present one or more charac-
teristic rings, thus giving rise to the
common name of the ring disease"
when the malady occurs in hyacinths,
Description.
IL a small piece of leaf or other in
rested tissue be carefully torn to
pieces by means of pins or needles
IN dish containing a few drops of
clean water, MANY of the white.
thread-liEe, adult eelworms about one.
tittieth of an inch long can be seen
with the naked eye actively moving
about in the liquid.
Lite Cycle of Organism.
Each female may produce a large
number OF eggs, which, if conditions
be favorable, hatch directly into worm
shaped larvae. The latter reach ma
turlty in about four weeks, SO that
several generations can be produced
during a growing season. Larvae, or
any OF the subsequent developmental
stages of the nematode, are capable
under suitable conditions of penetrat-
ing and moving within certain tissues
OF its host plants and thereby pro,
duclng the various effects already de.
scribed.
Means of Distribution.
The pest can be transp orted A.
many ways 1t was probably intro
duccd into the United States in I'm
ported bulbs, tubers, or plants. o,
along with shipments of other mater
81 ""i>" may hdfDoT the parasite
seed are even strongly suspected o
being the means whereby the parasite
is most commonly distributed 1t car
be carried from field to field by irri
: CATION or surface water, in soil whicl
cl!ngs to the feet of man or othe
animals, to implements, and the root
of plants, and in garbage, manure, o
waste matter of any kind containing
parts of diseased tissue.
Miss Foncie Edna Bridges and MI
Clifford Stanley Peach were marie
in this city Saturday afternoon at III
home of the brides parents, Mr.. an
Mrs II. F. Bridges. The Rev. F. F
Dark was the officiating clergyman
The young couple left Saturday even
inn for Portland m,hnra thnN uril1 -, n L.