Identification and morphological characterization of root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. in some vegetable crops in the State of Kuwait

Other Title(s)

تعريف و دراسة الخواص المورفولوجية لنيماتودا تعقد الجذور (Meloidogyne spp.)‎ في محاصيل الخضر في دولة الكويت

Dissertant

al-Kandari, Fatimah Ahmad Hasan

Thesis advisor

Salih, Ahmad Ali
Sulayman, Batris

University

Arabian Gulf University

Faculty

College of Graduate Studies

Department

Desert farming Techniques and Hydroponics

University Country

Bahrain

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2012

English Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogynespp.) are economically important pathogens of many agricultural crops, and several species are known to cause widespread damage to crops.

This study aimed to assess and identify root-knot nematode species infecting commercially relevant vegetable crops in Kuwait’s al-Wafra agricultural area.

In addition, the study aimed to determine root knot nematode host range and evaluate morphometric changes associated with their infection of vegetable crops.

Vegetable roots and soil samples infected with root-knot nematodes were collected from greenhouses and open fields in al-Wafra agricultural area in Kuwait for identification of root-knot nematode species.

The collected plant roots were subjected to two nematode isolation procedures ; root softening for nematode retrieval by direct root dissection, and a modified Baermann funnel method.

Identification of Meloidogynespecies using light and scanning electron microscopy was based on characteristic morphological features of female specimens that include perineal pattern and stylet shape; while male specimens were identified by their head and stylet shape.

Two species of root-knot nematode were identified ; M.

III incognitaand M.

hapla.

Differential host range tests were performed on five different vegetable seedlings ; tomato (Solanumlycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), eggplant (Solanummelongena), cucumber (Cucumissativus), and squash (Cucurbitapepo).

Each potted plant was inoculated with 20-40 root-knots around the root system and incubated in a greenhouse.

All plants evaluated were infected with root knot nematodes with differing susceptibilities.

The number of knots that developed on each host after the fourth and sixth week of infection was used to assay for host susceptibility.

On week four, squash was the most susceptible to infection, while the other four crops had relatively the same number of knots.

On week six of experiment, eggplant developed the highest number of knots, followed by squash; and the least number of knots were found on tomato.

Cucumber had the highest percentage increase in root-knots on week six compared to week four.

Overall, plant health assessment based on number of leaves and plant height showed cucumber as the most affected crop among the five tested, followed by squash.

In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report that identifies root-knot nematode species in Kuwait’s al-Wafra agricultural area.

While the identified species of M.

incognita is of a worldwide distribution ; M.

haplais rarely reported in Middle Eastern and Asian studies.

Vegetable crops including cucumber and eggplant are locally produced to support Kuwait’s vegetable demands.

The findings of this study highlighted the need for adequate root knot nematode control and eradication measures in economically important crops.

Main Subjects

Botany

Topics

• Vegetables
• Kuwait

No. of Pages

63

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-357878