Abstract
Studies on the effect of N, P and/or K fertilisers applied to Giza 2 corn, on behaviour of Heterodera zeae revealed that the nematode population greatly varied according to the fertiliser type and level. When N, P or K were used separately, the fertilised plants sustained the lowest nematode final population and the rate of build-up as compared with those of the control plants; however, the recommended levels of these fertilisers caused the lower values amongst the applied fertilisers levels and achieved an higher increase in the plant growth parameters. As for, the N, P and K used in different combinations, a similar trend was noticed when the recommended levels of the fertilisers were applied to plants. It is worthy to notice that when phosphorus was decreased or nitrogen increased each in combination with the other elements at their recommended levels, the nematode reproduced well and folded several times.