ADENOSINE-TRIPHOSPHATE QUANTIFICATION AS RELATED TO CRYPTOBIOSIS, NEMATODE EGGS, AND LARVAE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (2) , 152-158
Abstract
Sonication was the most effective method used for disintegrating nematode eggs and larvae ATP determinations. Sensitivity of the assay was sufficient to measure ATP in 1 larva. Second-stage larvae of Anguina tritici averaged 1 .times. 105 femtograms (fg) ATP and Meloidogyne incognita eggs, 0.8 .times. 105 fg ATP. Larvae of Panagrellus redivivus, a saprobe, averaged 12.2 .times. 105 fg ATP, a level considerably higher than those in plant parasites. Endophytic bacteria and fungi from wheat galls were detected as background organisms associated with A. tritici activated by hydration. Bacteria in suspensions of eggs from M. incognita prepared with NaClO were measured by butanol extraction and ATP determination. Second-stage A. tritici larvae increased in ATP content within 40 min after being activated from cryptobiosis by hydration. In the cryptobiotic state, larvae had 50% less ATP than when active. ATP concentrations were similar in galls of different ages. Apparently, ATP concentrations do not change during cryptobiosis. Starvation results in a decline in ATP concentration larva. Subjecting A. tritici larvae to the lethal temperature of 60.degree. C resulted in a 3-fold increase in the decay rate of ATP over that of larvae sonified, then heated at 60.degree. C. Probably, there is an association between ATP decay and the mechanism that causes death of larvae at elevated temperatures.

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