Parasitism and pathogenicity of curly-leaf parsley with the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in Southern Italy

Abstract

SummarySevere infections of parsley plants and soil infestations with Meloidogyne javanica during an autumn surveys for the pathogenic root-knot nematode infestations were found in Monopoli at Bari province in Southern Italy. This unusual severe infection of parsley, considered a winter crop, was possibly instigated by a very warm autumn from the previous year. Nematodes were extracted from soil samples according to the Coolen's method. Morphological analysis (based on stylet length, tail length and shape, adult females perineal pattern, excretory pore position and Ep/stylet ratio) and molecular studies were used for the nematode characterization and identifi cation. In the soil of infested area a severely deformed root systems were observed, showing a galling rate = 2.5 -4 (scale 0-5) and a soil nematode population densities ranging from 350 to 2,730 eggs and J2 per 5 g of fresh root. M. javanica attack on parsley roots is a limiting factor for plant growth. Considering that curly-leaf parsley varieties resistant to the nematodes are not yet available control strategies must be focused on reduction of soil infestation level below tolerance limit of the target nematode species. Due to the higher cost and reduced availability of fumigant and non-fumigant nematicides, soil solarization, organic amendments or biological control approaches should be preferably used as alternatives.

First Report of Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne hapla (Chitwood, 1949) (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae) on Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A.W. Hill) in Türkiye

“…The damage caused by root-knot nematodes on the leaves of the consumed part of parsley is economically important and it is an undesirable situation for the growers. In the previous studies conducted around the world, it has been reported that parsley is a suitable host for Root-knot nematodes (M. arenaria, M. enterolobii, M. floridensis, M. incognita, M. hapla, M. hispanica and M. javanica) (Doucet & Pinochet 1992;Sikora & Fernández, 2005;Mennan et al, 2011;Quénéhervé et al, 2011;Maleita et al, 2012;Sasanelli et al, 2015). However, this is the first report of a parsley plant as a host for M. hapla species in Turkey.…”

Host Status and Response Differences of Flat-Leaf and Curly-Leaf Parsley to Meloidogyne hapla, M. chitwoodi, M. fallax, and M. incognita Infestation

“…The warm climatic conditions seem to be favorable for Meloidogyne infection on leaf parsley since most reports on Meloidogyne reducing leaf parsley growth are from the warmer regions. For example, severe losses of leaf parsley due to Meloidogyne have been reported for M. incognita and M. enterolobii in Venezuela [14,15], M. arenaria in Argentina [23] and Turkey [17], and M. javanica in South Italy [16]. Nonetheless, temperate Meloidogyne species can also reduce leaf parsley growth under favorable conditions, such as shown for M. hapla infecting leaf parsley roots during the winter season in the Marmara region, Turkey [24].…”

“…As a result, Meloidogyne infection may lead to stunted plant growth and reduced yield. While there are several reports of Meloidogyne species affecting leaf parsley in warmer regions [14][15][16][17], little is known about Meloidogyne damage on leaf parsley in temperate regions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the host status and plant growth response of European flat-leaf and curly-leaf parsley cultivars towards Meloidogyne species from temperate regions, i.e., M. hapla, M. chitwoodi, and M. fallax, as well as M. incognita, one of the most common pathogens in subtropical and tropical regions.…”

Respuesta del perejil crespo a diferentes densidades de población de Meloidogyne arenaria

“…The main nematode species associated with curly leaf parsley are: Ditylenchus dipsaci (Kuhn) Filipjev, Belonolaimus gracilis Steiner, Dolichodorus M. enterolobii Uang y Eisenback, M. floridensis Chitwood, Hannon y Esser, M. incognita (Kofoid y White) Chitwood, M. hapla Chitwood, M. hispanica Hirschmann, and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood (Mennan et al, 2011;Maleita et al, 2012;Barros et al, 2018;Hallmann y Meressa, 2018). Plants infected by these Meloidogyne species show symptoms related to generalized decay, leaf yellowing, reduced shoot growth, reduction of the root system, and presence of root galls (Mennan et al, 2011;Sangronis et al, 2014;Sasanelli et al, 2015;Hallmann y Meressa, 2018;Ntalli et al, 2019), and M. arenaria has also been reported to cause economic damages in P. crispum 'Bezirci', in Turkey (Mennan et al, 2011).…”