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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366226
Research Project: Improved Identification and Diagnostics of Plant Nematodes for Sustainable Grass and Forage Production Systems

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Characterization of Vittatidera zeaphila (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Indiana with molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus

Author
item Skantar, Andrea
item Handoo, Zafar
item KANTOR, MIHAIL - Orise Fellow
item Carta, Lynn
item FAGHIHI, JAMAL - Purdue University
item FERRIS, VIRGINIA - Purdue University

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/12/2019
Publication Date: 3/30/2020
Citation: Skantar, A.M., Handoo, Z.A., Kantor, M.R., Carta, L.K., Faghihi, J., Ferris, V. 2020. Characterization of Vittatidera zeaphila (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Indiana with molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus. Journal of Nematology. 52:1-8. https:/doi:10.21307/jofnem-2020-024.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2020-024

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that attack plant roots and cause billions of dollars in economic losses to agriculture. The cyst nematodes are an important group, with many species that cause significant economic and yield losses on corn. In this study, ARS researchers from Beltsville, MD along with Purdue University scientists identified and characterized the goosegrass cyst nematode from a corn field in Indiana. Anatomical features and DNA markers were consistent with those from the population originally described from Tennessee, and some additional molecular markers were analyzed, further expanding the information useful for identifying this species. These results are significant because they represent the first report of this particular nematode from Indiana. Scientists, extension agents and action agencies engaged in nematode research and control will use this research.

Technical Abstract: In the summer of 2016, a field of corn (Zea mays) in Spencer County, Indiana, was observed with heavily stunted plants, and from the affected roots a large number of cysts were recovered. Soil samples were submitted to one of us (JF), who extracted the nematode cysts and sent them to the USDA-ARS, Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory (MNGDBL), Beltsville, MD, for morphological and molecular identification. Cysts and the recovered second stage juveniles (J2) that were examined morphologically conformed to the measurements of Vittatidera zeaphila, the goosegrass cyst nematode originally described from Tennessee, USA, in 2010. The molecular analysis of J2 showed the sample from Spencer County match V. zeaphila according to ITS and 28S, matching 99-100% with sequences deposited already in GenBank. Molecular markers previously unreported with the original isolate were analyzed, including: ribosomal small subunit (18S) rDNA, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI), and nuclear heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Similarities to existing cyst nematode sequences are reported herein. Geographically, although the county is across the Ohio River from Kentucky, the previously reported Hickman County, Kentucky location and Indiana detection are approximately 200 miles apart. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of V. zeaphila in Indiana.