Open AccessOccurrence and seasonal changes in the population of root-knot nematodes on honeybush (Cyclopia sp.)
Author(s) -
Fisayo Daramola,
Rhoda Malgas,
Antoinette P. Malan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
helminthologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.378
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1336-9083
pISSN - 0440-6605
DOI - 10.2478/helm-2021-0018
Subject(s) - biology , monoculture , nematode , population density , population , meloidogyne javanica , veterinary medicine , botany , root knot nematode , horticulture , agronomy , ecology , medicine , demography , sociology
Summary Root-knot nematodes in the genus Meloidogyne are an important group of plant-parasitic nematodes causing severe damage on agricultural crops worldwide. A study was conducted to identify the species of root-knot nematodes causing damage on honeybush monocultures and to assess the seasonal variations in the nematode population. Soil samples were collected from six experimental sites in Genadendal, Western Cape province of South Africa from 2016 to 2017. DNA was extracted from single-second stage juveniles and species identifi cation was done using species-specifi c sequence-characterised amplifi ed regions (SCAR) primers. Meloidogyne hapla and M. javanica were identifi ed from the sites. Mean population density of the nematodes varied significantly (p < 0.05) in the six sites, with the peak population being recorded in summer of 2017. The study suggests that seasonal variation in temperature and moisture could contribute to changes in the population density of root-knot nematodes in the soil.