August 22, 2003
From: American Phytopathological Society PLANT DISEASE [edited]

Occurrence of the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. hapla in Slovenia

S. Sirca and G. Urek, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1001 Ljubjana, Slovenia; G. Karssen, Plant Protection Service, P.O. Box 9102, 6700 HC Wageningen, the Netherlands. Plant Dis. 87:1150, 2003; published on-line as D-2003- 0710-01N, 2003. Accepted for publication 26 Jun 2003.

The root-knot nematode _Meloidogyne incognita_ (Kofoid & White) Chitwood is one of the most harmful species within the genus _Meloidogyne_. It has been detected regularly in greenhouses throughout Europe, while in the field it is restricted to the southern parts of Europe (4).

_Meloidogyne incognita_ is able to parasitize more than 700 plant species and varieties, including the majority of our economically important crops (1). It has been recorded in most parts of the world, including the former Yugoslavia; however, there are no data on its presence in Slovenia.

In late summer of 2002, large galls were observed on roots of pepper, _Capsicum annuum_ L., grown in a greenhouse located in Portoroz near the Adriatic Coast of Slovenia. Different root-knot nematode stages, i.e., males, females, and second-stage juveniles, were isolated and morphologically identified as _M. incognita_ (2). Additional isozyme gel electrophoresis confirmed this (3).

To our knowledge, this is the first report of _M. incognita_ from Slovenia. In addition, _Meloidogyne hapla_ Chitwood was found for the first time in a field in Slovenia. Previously, it had been detected on  different host plants, all restricted to greenhouses. In October 2002, _M. hapla_ was isolated and identified from relatively small galls of sweet pepper, _C. annuum_ L., grown in a field near Ljubljana, located in central Slovenia. Additional resampling of the soil confirmed the presence of _M. hapla_ in this field.

References:
(1) J. D. Eisenback. Root-Knot Nematode Taxonomic Database. CD-ROM, CABI, Wallingford, UK, 1998.
(2) J. D. Eisenback and H. Hirschmann Triantaphyllou. Root-knot nematodes: Meloidogyne species and races. Pages 191-274 in: Manual of Agricultural Nematology. W. R. Nickle, ed. Marcel Dekkers, Inc., New York, 1991.
(3) P. R. Esbenshade and A. C. Triantaphyllou. J. Nematol. 17:6, 1985.
(4) G. Karssen. Revision of the European root-knot nematodes III on mono- and dicotyledons. Pages 119-121 in: The Plant-Parasitic Nematode Genus Meloidogyne G??ldi, 1892 (Tylenchida) in Europe. Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, the Netherlands, 2002.

[_Meloidogyne hapla_ [Mh] and _M. incognita_ [Mi] are 2 of about 70 species in the genus _Meloidogyne_. They cause extensive damage to roots by their feeding activity, exacting a heavy toll on producers. Mh (northern root knot nematode) occurs in temperate regions and at higher elevations in warmer regions worldwide and has an extensive host range that includes many vegetables. Mi occurs primarily in the tropics and warmer regions. Its hosts include vegetables, cereals, sugarcane, and potatoes. Both nematodes are involved with other pathogens in disease complexes. Disease management for Mi involves use of nematicides and host-plant resistance. Mh management requires clean planting material, crop rotations seeded to non-host crops such as grasses and cereals, and use of resistant cultivars.
Additional reference: <http://plpnemweb.ucdavis.edu/nemaplex/Taxadata/G076S2.htm> -Mod.DH]