field observations in The Netherlands indicated only one
generation on potato (Thoden et al., 2012). By contrast,
M. chitwoodi and M. fallax are known to have multiple
generations on potato (Brommer & Molendijk, 2001;
Griffin, 1985). The second generation of these species has
been found responsible for the damage on potato tubers
(Brommer & Molendijk, 2001). The damage threshold
for M. chitwoodi on potato was estimated at 1 secondstage
juvenile (J2) (250 cm3 soil)−1 (Santo et al., 1981)
but depends on soil and environmental conditions, crop
cultivar and cropping system (Greco & Di Vito, 2009).
However, information on the damage threshold for M.
minor is not available.
The objective of this work was to examine the life cycle
duration of M. minor on potato, its damage threshold and
the host plant status of economically important cultivars
to evaluate its threat to potato production