Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #277689
Title: A survey of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with forage crops in Bingol, Turkey

Author
item YILDIZ, SENOL - Bingol University
item Handoo, Zafar
item Carta, Lynn
item Skantar, Andrea
item Chitwood, David

Submitted to: Nematologia Mediterranea
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2012
Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Citation: Yildiz, S., Handoo, Z.A., Carta, L.K., Skantar, A.M., Chitwood, D.J. 2012. A survey of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with forage crops in Bingol, Turkey. Nematologia Mediterranea. 40(1):73-77.

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plants and cause an estimated ten billion dollars of crop losses each year in the United States and 100 billion dollars globally. One problem with determining the extent of nematode damage to crop plants is that the nematodes present in many areas are not known, such as in the Province of Bingol, Turkey. In this study, a team of researchers from Bingol University and ARS surveyed and identified the nematodes in pastures in the province. This research revealed the presence of 22 species of plant-parasitic nematodes from a variety of pasture types and elevations. The results are significant because three species represent new country records for Turkey and 13 others are reported for the first time in Bingol Province. This research will be of use to scientists, growers, action agencies and others involved in nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: During June 2011, a survey was conducted in four districts of Bingol Province, Turkey, to investigate the occurrence, population abundance and spatial distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with pastures. A total of 24 soil samples were collected. Nematodes were extracted from soil by a modified Baermann funnel technique, identified to genus or species level, counted, fixed in TAF and mounted on slides. A total of 22 species and 13 genera of plant- parasitic nematode were identified as follows: Ditylenchus microdens, Filenchus sp., Helicotylenchus platyurus, H. carolinensis, H. varicaudatus, Longidorus sp., Meloidogyne sp., Merlinius bavaricus, M. brevidens, Merlinius sp., Paratrophurus sp., Paratylenchus tenuicaudatus, Paratylenchus sp., Pratylenchoides erzurumensis, Pratylenchus crenatus, P. thornei, Sauertylenchus maximus, Trophurus sp., Tylenchorhynchus brassicae, Tylenchus exiguus, Xiphinema pachtaicum and X. index. Of these Helicotylenchus platyurus, H. carolinensis and Paratylenchus tenuicaudatus represent new country records for Turkey. In addition, 15 species are reported for the first time in the Bingol province of Turkey. The association of these nematodes with pasture plant species and their impact on plant yield still needs to be investigated.