SOIL AERATION AND THE EMERGENCE OF LARVAE FROM CYSTS OF THE BEET EELWORM, HETERODERA SCHACHTII SCHM

Moisture content, pore size, depth and oxygen consumption in the soil, which influence soil aeration, have been studied in relation to larval emergence from cysts of the beet eelworm. Experiments show that the rate of larval emergence increases with aeration. In studies of larval emergence in the field emphasis should be laid on soil structure rather than on a mechanical analysis. Those factors associated with good soil tilth favour high rates of larval emergence.