Orion, D., Department of Nematology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
Lapid, D., Department of Nematology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel

Roots of common vetch (Vicia sativa cv. Yovel) grown in Pratylenchus mediterraneus infested soil were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The nematodes invaded the roots at the root hair region by forming a clear “drilled” hole in the root epidermis and the cortical parenchyma. A dense layer of bacteria accompanied the invaded region. The nematode advanced within the parenchymal tissue destroying the cells’ cytoplasm. The surface of the invaded region appears as a lesion on which the root hairs were shed and the epidermis was densely punctured. At the lesion margin abnormally long root hairs were observed. In cross and longitudinal sections aggregation of nematodes was observed in the root cortex, in this area the plant tissue was completely destroyed therefore. Eggs were deposited in cavities apperently formed by the nematodes. In many cases the root apices were severely deformed possibly due to ectoparasitic feeding by the nematodes. © 1993, Brill. All rights reserved.