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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420366
Research Project: Optimizing and Stabilizing Economic and Ecological Sustainability of Pacific Northwest Seed Cropping Systems Under Current and Future Climate Conditions

Location: Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit

Title: Identification of Meloidogyne spp. from cool-season golf course putting greens in the Pacific Northwest

Author
item BRAITHWAITE, EMILY - Oregon State University
item STARCHVICK, ROBERT - Oregon State University
item KOWALEWSKI, ALEC - Oregon State University
item Temple, Todd
item Zasada, Inga
item Rivedal, Hannah

Submitted to: International Turfgrass Society Research Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2024
Publication Date: 1/22/2025
Citation: Braithwaite, E., Starchvick, R.J., Kowalewski, A.R., Temple, T.N., Zasada, I.A., Rivedal, H.M. 2025. Identification of Meloidogyne spp. from cool-season golf course putting greens in the Pacific Northwest. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.190.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.190

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are important pests affecting golf course putting green health, playability, and management. Minimal information is available on the species identity and PPN distribution across California, Oregon and Washington golf courses. Soil samples from 264 putting greens in November 2023 indicated a high prevalence of root-knot nematodes in all three states. Further research into the effects of root-knot and other nematodes on golf course green systems is critical for establishing appropriate management strategies.

Technical Abstract: Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are important pests affecting golf course putting green health, playability, and management. Recently, they have become a concern for golf course superintendents managing cool-season grasses in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) as reports of damage attributable to PPN activity have increased. Minimal information is available on the species identity and PPN distribution across the region. In November of 2023, soil samples were collected from 264 golf course putting greens in Washington, Oregon, and California for PPN extraction and identification. Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematode) was one of the most encountered PPN, occurring in 89% of samples, with maximum PPN densities exceeding 10,000 second stage juveniles 100 cc-1. In OR and CA samples M. minor and M. naasi was documented, while only M. naasi was documented in WA. These findings will help inform future efforts into the development of regional damage thresholds, and into appropriate management strategies for PNW cool-season golf courses.