PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH CITRUS IN VENEZUELA

Abstract

A nematode survey was carried out in the main citrus growing areas of Venezuela. A total of 1110 soil and root samples were collected and analyzed. Thirty four species were identified: Aorolaimus holdemani, A. macbethi, Criconema demani, Gracilacus aculenta, Helicotylenchus crenacauda, Helicotylenchus dihystera, H. erythinae, H. multicinctus, H. multicinctus, Hemicriconemoides communis, H. mangiferae, Hoploaimus seinhorsti, Meloidogyne exigua, M. incognita, Mesocriconema onoense, M. ornatum, M. sphaerocephalum, Monotrichodorus monohystera, Paratrichodorus minor, Paratylenchus elachystus, P. minutus, Pratylenchus brachyurus, P. zeae, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Rotylenchus caudaphasmidius, Scutellonema brachyurum, Tylenchorhynchus annulatus, T. capitatus, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Xiphinema brasiliense, X. brevicolle, X. krugi, X. peruvianum, X. simillimum and X. vulgare. The most economically important and widespread species is T. semipenetrans. Other species which may cause damage to citrus are P. brachyurus, M. exigua, M. incognita, H. multicinctus, P. minor and X. brevicolle. Brief descriptions and a key to the identification of genera and species reported from Venezuela are provided.