• Home
• Botany
• Entomology
• Nematology
• Plant Pathology

Cyperus esculentus (yellow nut-sedge)
Photograph and copyright courtesy of Shirley Denton, Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants

Meloidoygne mayaguensis Rammah and Hirshmann, 1988 (the guava root-knot nematode) infecting the roots of Melaleuca viminalis (bottle brush)
Photograph courtesy of Mariana P. Beckman and Janete A. Brito, DPI

Nematology Section

Compiled by Janete A. Brito, Ph.D., and Renato N. Inserra, Ph.D.

This section analyzes soil and plant samples for nematodes, conducts pest detection surveys and provides diagnosis of plant problems, in addition to completing identification of plant parasitic nematodes involved in regulatory and certification programs. State of Florida statutes and rules mandate the principal part of the regulatory activity of the section. Analyses of plant and soil samples include those from in-state programs, plant shipments originating in Florida destined for other states and countries, as well as samples intercepted in Florida from outside the United States.

Nematodes of Special Interest

Heterodera cyperi Golden, Rau & Coob, 1962 (a cyst-forming nematode) was infecting the roots of Cyperus esculentus (yellow nut-sedge) growing in a potato field. Although this species has been detected in Florida since early 1960s and is widely distributed in cultivated fields and natural land, H. cyperi population levels are low and do not cause appreciable damage to yellow nut-sedge. It seems that many biological control agents (especially fungi) prevent the nematode from reaching high populations levels. The mild parasitic relationship between the nematode and the weed allows the nematode to develop and to reproduce on the weed roots without affecting the vigor of the host plant. (St. Johns County, N09-00420, Trevor R. Smith, 27 March 2009.)

Meloidoygne mayaguensis Rammah and Hirshmann, 1988 (the guava root-knot nematode) was found infecting the root of Melaleuca viminalis (bottle brush). The root system was heavily galled with visible egg masses on the surface of the roots.  This nematode species has been found infecting several other horticultural crops and weed plants in the state. New county record. (Clay County, N09-00508, Sol F. Looker, 9 April 2009). (Brito, et al. 2008.)

References

• Brito, J. A., R. Kaur, R. Cetintas, J. D. Stanley, M. L. Mendes, E. J. McAvoy, T. O. Powers and D. W. Dickson. 2008. Identification and isozyme characterization of Meloidogyne spp. infecting horticultural and agronomic crops and weed plants in Florida. Nematology 10:757-766.

Collectors submitting five or more samples that were processed for nematological analysis in March - April 2009