The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus spp.) survives to dissecation better than most plant parasite nematodes, being recorded that R. reniformis survived after 29 months with no host. The aim of this research was to investigate the survival fo R. reniformis in the absence of host, in a naturally infested soil, submitted to different periods of storage, under laboratory conditions. At 45, 90, 135 and 180 days after storage, five soil samples were placed in pots and melon (Cucumis melo) cv. Amarelo Ouro were grown for 80 days under greenhouse conditions. Juveniles, males and imature females in the soil, adult females in root system and total of nematodes (soil+root) were recorded per experimental unit. Linear, logarithmic and quadratic models were tested to describe each variable in relation to storage time. Quadratic models fitted better the variation of all variables except for females in the root system for which the variation did not fit any of the models tested. Nematode populations tended to decrease after 90 days of storage. After 180-days storing soil and subsequently growth of melon in the soil stored, nematode population density at harvest was equivalent to 83.41% of population level at begin of storage.
reniform nematode; anhydrobiosis; viability
