Current status of genera and species of phytoparasitic nematodes in Egypt

Authors: IBRAHIM, IBRAHIM - Agricultural Research Center Of Egypt; KANTOR, MIHAIL - Pennsylvania State University; Handoo, Zafar

Submitted to: Nematropica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2023
Publication Date: 5/27/2023
Citation: Ibrahim, I.K., Kantor, M., Handoo, Z.A. 2023. Current status of genera and species of phytoparasitic nematodes in Egypt. Nematropica. 53:16-29.

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. Over a period of years many nematodes have been documented in Egypt via a collaboration with ARS scientists. Most of the identified nematode species were first records in Egypt and Africa. The most important achievements of this cooperation included the identification of 14 new species records in Egypt, and the description of Heterodera goldeni as a new cyst nematode species. Other important first reports include the report of Xiphinema rivesi, cyst nematodes (Golobodera rostochiensis and Heterodera species), Aglenchus geraerti, Bitylenchus ventrosignatus, Coslenchus capsici, Helicotylenchus indicus and Malenchus bryanti for the first time in Egypt. The objective of the present work was to elucidate the current status of the genera and species of phytoparsitic nematodes in Egypt and their associated host plants by way of nematode surveys and to compile a list of nematode species and associated host plants from previously published research in Egypt. This will assist plant pathologists and nematologists in Africa and worldwide in the identification and control of plant parasitic nematodes.

Technical Abstract: In Egypt, phytoparasitic nematodes have been recognized as important plant pests and a major constraint to agricultural production especially in sandy and coarse soils. Nematode surveys were conducted to determine the occurrence of genera and species of phytoparasitic nematodes associated with different host plants in Egypt. The current survey results and historical nematode records indicate the occurrence of about 60 genera 170 species of phytoparasitic nematodes found on crop plants, grasses, and weeds. Some of these nematode species such as new cyst Heterodera goldeni, were described from Egypt, while others such as H. rosii, Globodera rostochiensis and Xiphinema rivesi were recorded for the first time in Egypt and other African countries. Important phytoparasitic nematodes found in Egypt include species of the citrus nematode (Tylenchulus), cyst (Globodera, Heterodera), dagger (Xiphinema), lance (Hoplolaimus), ring (Criconemella, Mesocriconema), lesion (Pratylenchus), root-knot (Meloidogyne), spiral (Helicotylenchus) and stunt (Tylenchorhynchus). Among these, the citrus, cyst, root-knot, lesion, and spiral nematodes were the most frequently encountered nematode genera in Egypt.