Detection of Root-Knot Nematode Species and Races in Kahramanmaraş Province, Türkiye

Root -knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are organisms that spread over large areas and cause economic damage to vegetables. In this study, root -knot nematode populations obtained from vegetable growing areas of Kahramanmaras province were identified. Overall, 132 root samples were taken from the vegetable crop fields. Root -knot nematode was detected in 25 of the collected samples and their diagnosis was determined based on biochemical (esterase isoenzyme phenotype), perineal pattern, and molecular methods. The race determination of root -knot nematodes was made according to the North Carolina Differential Host Test. Results showed that while Meloidogyne incognita was detected in Andirin, Onikisubat, Dulkadiroglu, Turkoglu, and Ekinozu districts of Kahramanmaras, both M. incognita and M. javanica were found in Beyoglu of Turkoglu. This is the first report of M. javanica infection in Kahramanmaras. Races of root -knot nematodes were determined as M. incognita race 1, race 2 and M. javanica race 2.