A comparison of nematode-capturing efficiencies of fiveDactylella species at four temperatures

Conclusions

The data and observations presented indicate that the factors controlling the nematode-capturing efficiency of predaceous fungi are complex. There seems to be little correlation between the ability to capture nematodes and the optimum growth rate of the capturing fungus, but there may be some relation between the motility of a nematode and the ease with which it may be captured. Since soil contains many fungi and nematodes competing for nutrients in fairly restricted spheres such as soil particles, bits of organic matter, or the rhizospheres of growing plants, the influence of a nematode-supporting fungus such asPenicillium digitatum on a predaceous fungus may be greater than the direct effect of some nematode upon the predaceous fungus or vice versa.