Occurrence of Meloidogyne javanica on Avena sterilis. A new host record

Abstract

During a survey of nematode infestations in forage crops, root galls of varying sizes were observed on Avena sterilis L and other Avena species and cultivars in plant breeding plots at this Institute, Infested plants of A. sterilis were unthrifty. In the galled tissues different stages of a root-knot nematode, including numerous mature females with egg masses, were present. On the basis of perineal patterns of the mature females, the nematode was identified as Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitw. A. sterilis seems to be a new host record for this economically important nematode species.