ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES FROM ASPARAGUS AND ASSOCIATED BIOLOGICAL ANTAGONISTS IN PERU

A research study on the parasitic nematodes of asparagus and several associated antagonists was carried out in Northern Peru. Nematodes were identified by means of light microscopy and sequencing of the ITS1-2 regions. Nematophagous fungi were isolated from nematode-infested roots or soil, cultured in vitro and maintained in a culture collection for further characterization. The species recovered were mainly root-knot nematodes including Meloidogyne incognita and M. ethiopica. Nematophagous fungi identified through standard morphological methods as well as by ITS sequencing included Drechslerella brochopaga, Lecanicillium psalliotae and Monacrosporium sp. Meloidogyne ethiopica and the antagonistic fungi are new records for the country