Nematological problems, production systems and Mediterranean environments 1

The characteristic phytonematological problems in areas with Mediterranean climate are analysed. The problems are, in order of economical importance, root‐knot nematodes, cyst nematodes, virus vectors, endoparasitic nematodes, stem nematodes, citrus nematode and ectoparasitic nematodes. The interest in getting alternative control techniques supported by production systems is stated. Nematodes were already differentiated in the Pliocene, at the end of the Tertiary, the period in which the Mediterranean climate appeared. Two structural elements are distinguished in the nematofauna and are defined as a characteristic temperate environment group and a tropical group. These two groups are found in Mediterranean environments according to environmental characteristics conditioned by geomorphology and, above all, since the Neolithic, by agrarian systems through cultural techniques. The importance of agrarian production systems, as an alternative control for plant parasitic nematodes in the Mediterranean region, is pointed out. Control alternatives are considered that are based on the capability of such systems to keep the environmental and spatial heterogeneity, that allows the nematode populations regulation and spatio‐temporal isolation, avoiding, in this way, the epidemic development and dispersion of pathogenic species.