Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Olive in Algeria

Surveys were conducted during 2010–2013 in olive growing areas of south and north of Algeria to identify plant parasitic nematodes associated with this crop. Sixteen genera of plant-parasitic nematodes were identified. Among them four are considered as having economic importance for olive. Among these the endoparasites Pratylenchus spp. were detected in the majority of the sampled areas and were the most frequent. Meloidogyne spp. were also present in some areas. Helicotylenchus spp. were present with a high frequency in almost all surveyed sites. Among the ectoparasites, only Xiphinema spp. have potential to damage olive. Other nematodes of less importance were poorly represented. Nematode densities varied according to taxa identified and areas surveyed. Excepted Pratylenchus spp. and Helicotylenchus spp., the others taxa are reported for the first time on olive in Algeria

Etude de trois souches d'Arthrobotrys oligospora : Caractérisation biologique et effets sur Meloidogyne mayaguensis parasite de la tomate au Sénégal

Etude de trois souches d'Arthrobotrys oligospora : Caractérisation biologique et effets sur Meloidogyne mayaguensis parasite de la tomate au Sénégal. Three strains (ORS 18690 S2, ORS 18691 S6 and ORS 18693 S5) of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora have been isolated in Senegal for the first time. In vitro, two strains (ORS 18690 S2 and ORS 18693 S5) of them trapped 100 % and the other (ORS 18691 S5) 80 %> of 7-day-old juvenile Meloidogyne mayaguensis within 48h. Optimal growth occured at 25-30°C and at a pH 5.6, but salinity inhibited development. In order to test the ability of fungi to control M. mayaguensis in pots on tomato, the fungus was incorporated into compost blocks or in vermiculite before sowing or subsequent transplanting. In pot experiments both strains reduced nematode populations ans stimulated seedling growth. However, these effects were higher in compost blocks than in vermiculite

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne) management in vegetable crop production : the challenge of an agronomic system analysis

Root-knot nematodes are a growing concern for vegetable producers, because chemical nematicides are gradually disappearing. Alternative techniques based on agronomic practices are needed to solve the problem. This review analyzes the most recent studies related to these techniques and their combinations and identifies the most effective ones. Based on an agronomic point of view, the analysis focuses on a description of agricultural factors and practices, rather than on biological processes. Several alternative techniques are considered, including sanitation, soil management, organic amendments, fertilization, biological control and heat-based methods. We analyzed the effects of each practice and interactions among techniques and found large variations among studies. Many practices are only partially effective for nematode control; thus, combining control methods in a systemic analysis presents a challenge. We outline such an ongoing systemic approach and identify key future research studies

Alternative cropping systems can have contrasting effects on various soil-borne diseases : relevance of a systemic analysis in vegetable cropping systems

Vegetable production makes an intensive use of pesticides, and a major challenge is to build alternative cropping systems that can control pests and diseases with fewer uses of chemical products. An on-farm analysis was conducted in Southeast France to assess the efficacy of several cropping systems in simultaneously controlling two major pests: root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and lettuce drop due to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Ten cropping systems resulting from the combinations of three crop sequences and two alternative techniques, solarization and green manure, were assessed during two years. The use of solarization once a year or once every two years limited the occurrence of S. sclerotiorum. Sorghum green manure tended to increase S. sclerotiorum incidence; the effect was positively correlated with green manure duration. Especially when no vegetable was cropped in summer, the green manure crop duration was lengthened and this probably created soil conditions favorable to the development of the fungus. The incidence of root-knot nematodes was largely dependent on crop rotation: a melon crop in summer increased its incidence on the subsequent lettuce crops whereas a summer sorghum cover crop had no effect. The cropping systems that limited Sclerotinia development in soil tended to support the root-knot nematode populations. These results should motivate farmers and advisers to adopt a systemic analysis and take into account the various interactions among inoculum level, soil characteristics, crop rotations, and technical management options for designing sustainable vegetable production systems

Diversity of root-knot nematodes in Moroccan olive nurseries and orchards : does Meloidogyne javanica disperse according to invasion processes ?

Background: Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are major pest of olive tree (Olea europaea ssp. europaea), especially in nurseries and high-density orchards. Soil samples were collected from main olive growing areas of Morocco, to characterize Meloidogyne species and to discuss the contribution of biotic and abiotic factors in their spatial distribution. Results: RKN were found in 159 soil samples out of 305 from nurseries (52.1% occurrence) and in 11 out of 49 soil samples from orchards (23.2% occurrence). Biochemical and molecular characterisation (PAGE esterase and SCAR) revealed the dominance of M. javanica both in nurseries and orchards with minor presence of M. incognita only in nurseries, and M. arenaria in only one nursery. RKN were distributed on aggregated basis. Frequent presence of M. javanica in orchards might have come from nurseries. In contrast, the detection of M. incognita in nurseries alone suggests that this species could not reproduce in orchards because of either the competition with other plant-parasitic nematodes or unfit local habitats. The impact of environmental variables (climate, habitat origin and physicochemical characteristics of the substrates) on the distribution of Meloidogyne species is also discussed. Conclusion: Olive nurseries in Morocco are not able to guarantee the safety of rooted plants. As a result, olive production systems are exposed to strong RKN invasion risks. Consequently, the use of healthy substrates in nurseries may prevent plant-parasitic nematode induction in orchards