Phytonematode Community Structure and Dynamics on Ornamental Plantations of Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zoology and Agricultural Nematology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University

Abstract

In a survey study, 21 phytonematode genera, Aphelenchoides,
Criconemoides, Brachydorus, Criconema, Ditylenchus, Helicotylenchus,
Hemicriconemoides, Hemicycliophora, Heterodera, Hoplolaimus, Longidorus,
Meloidogyne, Paratylenchus, Pratylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Scutellonema,
Tetylenchus, Tylenchorhyncus, Tylenchulus, Tylenchus and Xiphinema were found
infesting rhizosphere of ornamental plantations in 5 Egyptian governorates. As the
soil lighten, the nematode genera thrive, populate and diverse. Helicotylenchus,
Hoplolaimus and Paratylenchus were recorded in high abundance and density in
peat samples. The surveyed perennials were poor in their infestation.
Helicotylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Tylenchorhynchus and Tetylenchus were in
common association with the ornamental trees (Italian cypress, Ficus and
Flamboyant). Nematode genera abundance and density were variable in shrubs.
Paspalum samples infested with 15 out of the recorded 21 genera.
Dynamics of Criconemoides, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus and
Rotylenchulus on four shrubs (Schefflera, Windoleaf, Dodonea, Lantana) grow in
clay loam soil indicate that nematodes achieved high and low seasonal patterns
depending on soil temperature, host plant, nematode species and nature of
nematode parasitism.

Keywords