The most important phytoparasitic nematodes in Zeta valley greenhouses, Montenegro

Abstract: The Zeta valley is the most important region in Montenegro for greenhouse
production. A nematological survey was conducted in 18 greenhouses from June 2006 to
December 2007. Soil sampling was carried out using T-samplers, and nematode extraction was performed using the Oostenbrink modification of the Cobb method, followed by Baermann funnels. Identification of Meloidogyne females was done using PhastSystem electrophoresis.

The following plant-parasitic nematodes were detected: Gracilacus spp. Raski, 1962; Pratylenchus neglectus (Rensch, 1924) Filipjev & Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1941; Rotylenchus
macrodoratus Dasgupta, Raski & Sher, 1968; Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (Steiner, 1914) Golden, 1956, H. platyurus Perry, 1959, H. vulgaris Yuen, 1964; Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949, M. javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949, M. arenaria (Neal, 1889) Chitwood, 1949, M. hapla Chitwood, 1949, M. ardenensis Santos, 1968, and Aphelenchoides spp. Fischer, 1894. The results indicate that Meloidogyne spp. are the most significant nematode pests, affecting all cultivated crops. Severe damage was observed on tomato plants, although cucumbers appear to be the primary host. Lettuce, Swiss chard, and various weeds in and around the greenhouses were found to be highly susceptible. Pepper was the most tolerant crop, though it was still subject to infestation.
Meloidogyne incognita was detected in 84 % of the surveyed greenhouses. The average
relative migration coefficients (Rm) determined using the PhastSystem were 0.36 for malate
dehydrogenase (MDH) and 0.59 for esterase (EST). This species was found on cucumber,
tomato, pepper, Swiss chard, and lettuce, as well as on fig, gourd, Solanum nigrum, and
Convolvulus vulgaris growing near the greenhouses. Meloidogyne arenaria was found in 25 % of greenhouses, with Rm values of 0.33 for MDH and 0.60 for EST. It was associated with S. nigrum, C. vulgaris, and tomato plants. Meloidogyne hapla was detected in only one
greenhouse. The Rm values were 0.56 for MDH and 0.65 for EST. Meloidogyne javanica (Rm: 0.34 for MDH and 0.59 for EST) was found on gourd and pepper plants located outside one of the greenhouse facilities. Meloidogyne ardenensis (Rm: 0.37 for MDH; no EST band detected) was found in a single location, coexisting in a mixed population with M. arenaria.