root-knot nematode
(Meloidogyne enterolobii)
Meloidogyne enterolobii, or Guava Root Knot Nematode (GRKN) is a highly virulent root-knot nematode (RKN) species that is potentially devastating to specialty crop production in the southeastern United States.
Distribution
Although M. enterolobii is thought to have originated in China, it spread throughout Brazil in the early 2000’s leading to the collapse of the guava industry. This earned it the common name ‘Guava Root Knot Nematode’. It is classified as a quarantine pathogen in the European Union and is now a mounting problem in the southeastern US.
Hosts
M. enterolobii has many hosts, meaning it can infect many plant species. This includes sweetpotato, watermelon, cucumber, carrot, beans, cassava, soybean, tomato, cotton, bannana, coffee, and mulberry. It is also highly virulent, meaning it causes severe symptoms. This combination of characteristics make this nematode especially problematic, leading some states and other countries to initiate quarantines.
Symptoms
Most symptomatic plant species present with root galling; however, there are many other symptoms you may observe such as leaf chlorosis (yellowing), stunted growth, and organ deformation. These symptoms usually prevent the sale of crops in both fresh and processed markets.
Distribution
Although M. enterolobii is thought to have originated in China, it spread throughout Brazil in the early 2000’s leading to the collapse of the guava industry. This earned it the common name ‘Guava Root Knot Nematode’. It is classified as a quarantine pathogen in the European Union and is now a mounting problem in the southeastern US.
Hosts
M. enterolobii has many hosts, meaning it can infect many plant species. This includes sweetpotato, watermelon, cucumber, carrot, beans, cassava, soybean, tomato, cotton, bannana, coffee, and mulberry. It is also highly virulent, meaning it causes severe symptoms. This combination of characteristics make this nematode especially problematic, leading some states and other countries to initiate quarantines.
Symptoms
Most symptomatic plant species present with root galling; however, there are many other symptoms you may observe such as leaf chlorosis (yellowing), stunted growth, and organ deformation. These symptoms usually prevent the sale of crops in both fresh and processed markets.
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Nematoda |
| Class: Chromodorea |
| Order: Tylenchida |
| Family: Heteroderidae |
| Genus: Meloidogyne |
| Meloidogyne enterolobii |
References
Common Name Reference: Derived from taxonomy / Generic common name
Scientific Name Reference: Zicha O. (ed.) (1999-2010) BioLib. http://www.biolib.cz/en