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June 4, 2004
From: American Phytopathological Society, Plant Disease Notes
[edited]
First report of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne
ethiopica on tomato in Slovenia
S. Sirca and G. Urek, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia,
Hacquetova 17, 1001 Ljubjana, Slovenia; and G. Karssen, Plant
Protection Service, Geertjesweg 15, 6700 HC Wageningen, the
Netherlands. Plant Dis. 88:680, 2004; published on-line as
D-2004-0407-01N, 2004.
Accepted for publication 21 Jan 2004.
The root-knot nematode _Meloidogyne ethiopica_ Whitehead
originally described from Tanzania is also distributed in South
Africa, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia (3). Although this species is a
relatively unknown root-knot nematode, _M. ethiopica_
parasitizes several economically important crops, such as
tomato, cowpea, bean, cabbage, pepper, pumpkin, tobacco,
lettuce, and soybean (4).
This species can be morphologically confused with _M. incognita_
(Kofoid & White), and therefore is probably easily overlooked
(1). Recently, characteristic esterase isozyme patterns were
described for this species, which provide a more reliable
identification (2).
In October 2003, _Lycopersicum esculentum_ cv. Belle plants with
large root-galls were observed in a greenhouse at Dornberk,
Slovenia, which were identified as an unknown root-knot nematode
within the _M. incognita_ group. Subsequent sampling revealed
infestation of all tomato plants within this greenhouse with
obvious aboveground
symptoms of stunting and wilting. Additional morphological and
isozyme studies identified this root-knot nematode as _M.
ethiopica_.
The identification was based on female, male, and 2nd-stage
juvenile morphology and malate dehydrogenase and esterase
isozyme phenotypes from young egg-laying females isolated from
20 tomato plants and compared with a culture of _M. ethiopica_
from Africa.
To our knowledge, this is not only the 1st report of _M.
ethiopica_ in Slovenia, but also the 1st report of this species
in Europe.
References:
(1) A. M. Golden. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 15:189, 1992.
(2) W. Mandefro and K. Dagne. Afr. J. Plant Prot. 10:39, 2000.
(3) A. G. Whitehead. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 31:263, 1968.
(4) A. G. Whitehead. Nematologica 15:315, 1969.
[Root knot nematodes cause crop yield reductions by
interfering with nutrient flow in the xylem. Infected plants are
less vigorous than healthy plants and are susceptible to wilting
at high temperatures. Disease management utilizes several
strategies: weed control because they are often hosts; resistant
host cultivars; rotation with resistant varieties and non-host
crops; and soil fumigation using broad-spectrum fumigants to
reduce fungi and nematode populations.
Additional references:
<http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783200111.html>
<http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_PG108http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_PG108>
- Mod.DH] |