ARS | Publication request: PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH CABBAGES (BRASSICA SPP.) IN THE SAMSUN (MIDDLE BLACK SEA REGION) OF TURKEY

Submitted to: Nematropica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 12, 2006
Publication Date: July 30, 2006
Citation: Mennan, S., Handoo, Z.A. 2006. Plant parasitic nematodes associated with cabbages (brassica spp.) in the samsun (middle black sea region) of turkey. Nematropica. Nematropica 36(1):99-104.

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that cause an estimated crop loss of 100 billion dollars globally. One problem with determining the extent of nematode damage to crops is that the nematodes present on specific crops are not known in many areas, such as in the case of cabbages in the middle Black Sea region of Turkey. Therefore, a scientist at Ondokuz Mayis University in Samsun, Turkey, conducted a survey of nematodes in Turkish cabbage fields; an ARS scientist provided assistance in identifying the species of nematodes. The survey revealed the occurrence of 11 different nematode species in a variety of economically important nematode groups; lesion, spiral and cyst were the most frequently encountered groups of nematodes. The results are particularly significant because one of the economically important cyst nematode species was discovered in Turkey for the first time; in addition, the survey provides the first report of two cabbage varieties being hosts for this cyst nematode and two lesion nematodes. This research will be used by growers to develop strategies to control the damage caused by nematodes to cabbages.

Technical Abstract: A survey was conducted in the Samsun (Middle Black Sea Region) of Turkey to study the occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with cabbages (Brassica spp.). A total of 101 soil and root samples containing mixed populations of 10 genera and 11 species belonging to 7 families of the order Tylenchida were analyzed. Lesion (Pratylenchus thornei), spiral (Helicotylenchus sp.) and cyst (Heterodera cruciferae and Heterodera mediterranea) were the most frequently encountered groups of nematodes. Cysts were detected in 45% of the soil samples collected from the cabbage fields. Among these cysts 78%(35) were Heterodera cruciferae, 20% were H. mediterranea, and one sample had a mixed population of both H. mediterranea and H. cruciferae. This survey yielded the first report of H. mediterranea in Turkey and the first record of white and red head cabbages being hosts for this and two lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus).