Abstract

Eight herb species were inoculated with two common species of root-knot nematode and grown for 2 months in a greenhouse. Root systems were examined for galls and egg mass production. All herb species were susceptible but developed fewer galls and had lower gall indices than Rutgers tomato. Burnet, chives, valerian and winter savory had few galls or low gall indices. Eggs were produced on all. Chamomile had a high gall index. Chicory, parsley, and sorrel had intermediate indices. Herbs were equally susceptible to the southern (Meloidogyne incognita) and peanut root-knot nematodes (M. arenaria), particularly at the highest inoculum densities. Mean dry weights of inoculated herbs were not always significantly less than the non-inoculated plants, suggesting that some herbs may be tolerant to root-knot nematodes.