Nematode problems in temperate fruits and their sustainable management

Authors: SHOKOOHI, EBRAHIM - University Of Limpopo; Handoo, Zafar; ELSHISHKA, MILKA - Bulgarian Academy Of Sciences; SALAMA, ABDEL-MOETY - Kafrelsheikh University

Submitted to: Elsevier
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/28/2023
Publication Date: 4/28/2023
Citation: Shokoohi, E., Handoo, Z.A., Elshishka, M., Salama, A. 2023. Nematode problems in temperate fruits and their sustainable management. In: M.R. Khan, and M. Quintanilla., editors. Nematode Diseases of Crops and their Sustainable Management. Cambridge, MA USA. Elsevier Inc. p.375-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91226-6.00021-3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91226-6.00021-3

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plants and cause an estimated ten billion dollars of crop losses each year in the United States and 100 billion dollars globally. Temperate fruit trees grown under tropical and subtropical regions may face low winter chill, crucial in breaking dormancy and productivity. Due to various climates exposing the temperate trees, multiple plant-parasitic nematodes attack the trees. Plant-parasitic nematodes including Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne, Nanidorus, Scutellonema, Paratylenchus, Xiphinema, Longidorus, Mesocriconema, and Heliocotylenchus represent a worldwide concern for almond, walnut, apple, peach, pear, cherry, kiwi, and strawberry. One problem with these nematodes is that growers have no idea of the host range of these nematodes on specific crop cultivars. In this book chapter information on nematodes that attack temperate fruit trees including apples, pears, peachs, cherries, almonds, walnuts, kiwi, and strawberries is provided. Among the effective management methods discussed, virgin land before establishing the orchards, certified rootstock free of plant-parasitic nematodes, resistant cultivars, and chemical treatments at pre-and post-planting should be considered for their management approaches. This information will be of use to scientists, growers and extension agencies involved in nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: Temperate fruit trees grown under tropical and subtropical regions may face low winter chill, crucial in breaking dormancy and productivity. Due to various climates exposing the temperate trees, multiple plant-parasitic nematodes attack the trees. Plant-parasitic nematodes including Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne, Nanidorus, Scutellonema, Paratylenchus, Xiphinema, Longidorus, Mesocriconema, and Heliocotylenchus represent a worldwide concern for almond, walnut, apple, peach, pear, cherry, kiwi, and strawberry. This chapter listed nematodes that attack temperate fruit trees including apples, pears, peachs, cherries, almonds, walnuts, kiwi, and strawberries. Plant-parasitic nematodes can be 1-ectoparasite, 2-endoparasite, and 3-semiendoparasite. Generally, plant-parasitic nematodes cause necrosis and galls on the roots, stunted plant growth, varying degrees of chlorosis, wilting of foliage, and sometimes death of the plants. Symptoms on the leaves are like the nutrient deficiency and virus symptoms if the virus vector such as Xiphinema and Longidorus exist on the soil. Overall, a 12.3% yield loss for various crops due to plant-parasitic nematodes occurs globally. A study revealed that Pratylenchus and Meloidogyne species are major nematodes causing damage to temperate fruit trees. A threshold level for peach trees revealed one or more individuals of Mesocriconema xenoplax, Meloidogyne spp., and Pratylenchus vulnus need to be considered for their management. Therefore, management strategies become a priority for food security and sustainable agriculture. Among the effective management methods, virgin land before establishing the orchards, a certified rootstock free of plant-parasitic nematodes, resistant cultivars, and chemical treatments at pre-and post-planting should be considered for their management approaches.