The invasion of root tips of cereals by the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenue

SUMMARY Newly germinated seedlings of susceptible cultivars of oats, wheat, barley and rye were inoculated with second‐stage juveniles of Heterodera avenae in pots of sand. Subsequent examination showed oat root tips to be more commonly invaded, and by a greater range of nematode numbers than the other cereals. A comparison of oats and barley showed that lower nematode numbers in barley were not due to a higher emigration from barley; invasion, establishment and emigration by nematodes all being greater in oats. Second‐stage juveniles were more likely to migrate prior to establishment in barley than in oats.