Author: I.KEPENEKCI AND E. EVLICE

Publishing Date: 2004

E-ISSN: 0255-7576

Volume 22 Issue 2

ABSTRACT:

Meloidogyne root-knot nematodes are polyphagous and widely distributed producing galls on the root system on more than 3000 host plants (Sasser & Carter, 1982; Reddy, 1983). In Turkey the damages to plants caused by nematodes are serious and complex. Sandy and arid soils as found in the arid zone are avourable for nematode development and infestation (Okten et al., 2000). During surveys of plant parasitic nematodes, moderate to severe root-knot infection was observed on the roots of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad) growing in the green house and field in Eskisehir, Burdur and Isparta provinces. The watermelon roots were observed with typical root-knot swelling. On the basis of perineal pattern of mature females (Southey, 1986) these were identified as Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949 (Jepson, 1987; Eisenback & Triantaphyllou, 1991). Taxonomic status was given according to Siddiqi (1986).