No abstract

The devastating root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita can cause severe damage to field and greenhouse crops. Due to high economic losses, alternative products are essential to replace banned or strictly regulated nematicides that affect human health and/or the environment. Garlic based products have been previously investigated as environmentally friendly nematicides and their active substances, diallyl polysulfides exist as formulated nematicides on the market. We tested the garlic-based nematicide NEMguard® DE as protective of tomato roots. In vitro evaluation of the lethal concentration (LC) showed strong nematicidal activity with LC50 of 0.8 mg/mL after 96 h and LC90 of 1.5 mg/mL. NEMguard® DE showed protective effect against M. incognita as a single application in small pots and a second application further reduced root galling, significantly. Large greenhouse trials were carried out in two consecutive years to test single and monthly applications of NEMguard® DE. In both years, no controlling effect could be observed on M.incognita. We assume that the silt content of the loamy sandy soil used had an effect on the polysulfides, inhibiting their nematicidal effect. We conclude that further experiments are necessary to investigate the nematicidal potential of NEMguard® DE under different soil compositions or as a different formulation.

No abstract

Foliar nematodes represent a minor feeding group within the genus Aphelenchoides Fischer, 1894. The facultative plant parasitic species A. blastophthorus can cause crinkling of leaves, reduced vigor, and stunting of agricultural and ornamental plants. Here we report the first finding of A. blastophthorus in leaves, crowns, and roots of strawberry plants collected in Switzerland in 2018. Species identification was confirmed by morphological and morphometric characterization supported by molecular barcoding of 18S ribosomal RNA (18S), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene fragment analyses. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S indicated that A. blastophthorus was grouped within close distance to A. fragariae, a well-known foliar nematode affecting strawberry plants. Furthermore, the newly generated molecular barcodes of the partial 28S and COI of A. blastophthorus will support species identification in the future.