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Date: September 2008
Source: The American Phytopathological Society, Plant Disease 2008; 92(9): 1370 [edited]
<http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS-92-9-1370A>

[Ref: S Kiewnick et al: First report of root-knot nematode _Meloidogyne enterolobii_ on tomato and cucumber in Switzerland.
Plant Dis 2008; 92(9): 1370; DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-92-9-1370A]
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Severe stunting and extensive root galling were observed on tomato rootstock (_Solanum lycopersicum_) resistant to _Meloidogyne incognita_, _M. javanica_, and _M. arenaria_, and cucumber (_Cucumis sativus_) from 2 commercial greenhouses in the cantons Aargau and Lucerne in northern Switzerland.

Examination of the roots of infected plants revealed the presence of root-knot nematodes in large numbers. Juveniles, males, and females were isolated, and the species was determined on the basis of morphological characteristics. Identification was confirmed by enzyme [electrophoretic] analysis. All methods of identification were consistent with _M. enterolobii_. For further confirmation, type material of _M. enterolobii_ (from the original host _Enterolobium contortisiliquum_ [earpod tree, family _Mimosaceae_]) from China was used. Furthermore, comparison of the [nucleotide] sequence data from 12 individuals of each of the 2 Swiss populations and the type
material of a 310 bp [basepair], a 723 bp, and a 780 bp fragment  showed 100 percent homology and confirmed the identification as _M. enterolobii_.

The species _M. enterolobii_ is of great importance because it is able to reproduce on [root-knot nematode] resistant tobacco, pepper, watermelon, and tomato. To our knowledge, this is the 1st report of _M. enterolobii_ in Switzerland.

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[Root-knot nematodes (_Meloidogyne_ spp.) attack a wide range of plants, including many common vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamentals. The genus contains around 70 species and is found worldwide in tropical and sub-tropical regions in many types of soil. Symptoms may include stunting, wilting and leaf chlorosis, and large galls are formed throughout the root system affecting plant vigour. Severe infections may kill the host and result in significant economic losses. The pathogens are spread by plant material, in infested soil, and by mechanical means, for example contaminated equipment. Eggs can persist in the soil for years. Once root-knot nematodes have been introduced, it is in general difficult to control or eradicate them. Disease management requires an integrated approach of phytosanitary and cultural measures, nematicides, and use of resistant crop varieties.

An alert for _M. enterolobii_ was issued by the European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) earlier in 2008 when quarantine interceptions in Holland on material from several origins were reported. The species is polyphagous and, although its precise host range is still unknown, it has been found on many economically important crops including coffee, soybean, sweet potato, beans, guava, and several solanaceous and cucurbit vegetables. It is
considered a particularly aggressive pathogen with increased virulence against crop varieties resistant to other root-knot nematodes.

Maps
Switzerland:
<http://www.idsia.ch/wea2003/map_switzerland.gif>
Cantons of Switzerland:
<http://www.about.ch/cantons/index.html>

Pictures
Root-knot symptoms on carrot:
<http://plantpathology.tamu.edu/Texlab/Vegetables/Carrot/Images/carrot4.jpeg>
Root-knot on lettuce:
<http://www.apsnet.org/online/Archive/PDCoverImages/2004v88/jan_1.jpg>
Root-knot affected cucumber field:
<http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/images/679081228>
Root-knot nematode and gall:
<http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/M/N-RK-MSPP-AD.001.html>
Earpod tree:
<http://imagenes.infojardin.com/subir/images/cqs1190800817e.jpg>

Links
_M. enterolobii_ EPPO alert:
<http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/nematodes/meloidogyne_enterolobii.htm>
Original news release (in German and French):
<http://www.db-acw.admin.ch/pubs/wa_cma_08_pub_10498_d.pdf>
Information on root-knot (and other) nematodes:
<http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7489.html#LIFE>,
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/diseases/az1187.pdf> and
<http://www.apsnet.org/Education/LessonsPlantPath/RootKnotNema/default.htm>
_Meloidogyne_ species on tomato:
<http://www.avrdc.org/LC/tomato/nematode.html>
_Meloidogyne_ species on cucurbit crops:
<http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/NG025>
_M. enterolobii_ taxonomy:
<http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/390850>
Information on _E. contortisiliquum_:
<http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2316/> - Mod.DHA]