Abstract:
Heterodera zeae completed embryonic development in 8-9 days, and postembryonic development in 17-19 days under field condition. Larvae penetrated roots of Zea mays in 3-4 days. Second molt occurred in 5 days, thirt molt after 8 days and fourth stage completed after 9 days; and lastly in 17-19 days, mature females were formed and filled with eggs. All stages do not penetrate and develop completely in the root tissues and they also have semiendoparasitic habits. The optimum temperature for development of the nematode was between 25-30oC. The nematode reproduced parthenogenetically even though it is a bisexual species.
