A model of egg production by Heterodera schachtii (Nematoda: Heteroderidae)

Egg production by the sugarbeet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii, infecting sugarbeet, Beta vulgaris, was assessed at temperatures of 13, 18, 24, and 30 °C in constant-temperature tanks. The minimum-threshold temperature for degree-day accumulation relative to egg production was identified as 8 °C. The relationship between cumulative degree-days (DD) (base 8 °C) and egg production was examined. Egg production began between 160 and 270 DD after hatch and reached a maximum between 390 and 480 DD. Observed egg production (Y) across all temperatures was described as a logistic function of degree-days: Y = 202/(1 + 23726 e−0.034 DD) (r2 = 0.84; P < 0.05). The model depicts initiation of egg production at 140 DD, a maximum average egg production of 202 eggs per female reached at approximately 410 DD, and a maximum rate of egg production of 1.7 eggs/DD reached at approximately 290 DD. The accuracy of the model was limited because observed cumulative egg production was confounded by egg hatch. Accordingly, the...