FIRST REPORT OF MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA INFECTING INDUSTRIAL HEMP (CANNABIS SATIVA) IN FLORIDA, USA

Abstract

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) is an emerging crop in the USA, including Florida. A root-knot nematode identified as Meloidogyne javanica was found infecting industrial hemp in a field in Marion County, FL. Symptoms included leaf yellowing and stunted plant growth in a patchy distribution. Infected roots were severely galled and egg masses were clearly visible outside the roots. Species identification was performed using biochemical (EST and MDH), DNA (NADH5 and COX2) and morphological analyses. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. javanica infecting industrial hemp under field conditions in Florida, USA.