A scaled-up Seinhorst elutriator for extraction of cyst nematodes from soil

Abstract

AbstractIn order to process large soil samples containing potato cyst nematodes, the Seinhorst (1964) cyst elutriator was scaled up to process both sandy and marine-clay soils in batches of up to 2.5 kg. Several modifications were implemented. To maintain the required upward current of 3.01 min−1, an inflow of 8.01 min−1 was necessary in the enlarged, 7.5 cm diam. sedimentation tube. Also water inflow is now regulated using a flow meter with pressuriser. Several experiments were undertaken, using artificial sandy soil and marine-clay soil, both naturally infested with potato cyst nematodes. In the final experiment, using the 8.01 min−1 inflow for 4 min, there was a loss of 0.65% and 0.74% of cysts, and eggs and juveniles, respectively. This indicates that the yield (99%) of the scaled-up elutriator matches that of the original Seinhorst elutriator and, therefore, is suitable for statutory and scientific research.