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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313585
Title: First report of Xiphinema rivesi Dalmasso, 1969 on citrus in northern Egypt

Author
item Handoo, Zafar
item IBRAHIM, IBRAHIM - Alexandria University Of Egypt
item Chitwood, David
item MOKBEL, ASMA ABD - Jazan University

Submitted to: Pakistan Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2015
Publication Date: 6/15/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/60992
Citation: Handoo, Z.A., Ibrahim, I.K.A., Chitwood, D.J., Mokbel, A.A. 2015. First report of Xiphinema rivesi Dalmasso, 1969 on citrus in northern Egypt. Pakistan Journal of Nematology. 33(2):161-165.

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 Egypt. In this study, a team of researchers from Alexandria University in Egypt, Jazan University in Saudi Arabia, and ARS scientists surveyed and identified the nematodes from soil around the roots of citrus trees in calcareous sandy soil in EL-Nobarria, EL-Behera governorate, northern Egypt. This research revealed the presence of one of the most economically important groups of plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide called dagger nematodes. The results are significant because they represent a new record for the occurrence of this virus-transmitting nematode species called Xiphinema rivesi from Egypt. This research will be of use to scientists, growers, action agencies and others involved in nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: During a nematode survey in 2012-2013 in EL-Nobarria, EL-Behera governorate, northern Egypt, specimens of dagger nematode (Xiphinema sp.) were collected from soil around the rhizosphere of citrus trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) exhibiting poor growth and low yield. The morphology of females established the identity of this species as Xiphinema rivesi Dalmasso, 1969. Morphological characters used for identification included female body and total stylet (odontostyle and odontophore) length, location of guiding ring and excretory pore from oral aperture, shape of head and tail including various tail measurements, and vulva percentage in relation to body length. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this nematode from Egypt or other parts of Africa. The values of the morphological parameters completely fall within the previously reported ranges for Xiphinema rivesi. The presence of this nematode in several citrus samples calls for concern.