PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED NATURAL ENEMIES WITHIN BANANA (MUSA SPP.) PLANTINGS IN HAWAII

Authors

  • Koon Hui Wang
  • Cerruti R. R. Hooks

Keywords:

Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Meloidogyne, nematode-trapping fungi, nematode survey, Pasteuria penetrans, predatory nematodes, Pratylenchus, Radopolus similis, Rotylenchulus reniformis

Abstract

Wang, K.-H. and C. R. R. Hooks. 2009. Plant-parasitic nematodes and their associated natural enemies within banana (Musa spp.) plantings in Hawaii. Nematropica 39:57-73. A survey of banana fields was conducted on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii in 2007 and 2008 to determine the most important plant-parasitic nematodes and their natural enemies associated with banana plantings in Hawaii. Plant-parasitic nematodes were surveyed from soil and banana root tissues collected at twenty seven banana farms among the Hawaiian islands. Meloidogyne spp., Helicotylenchus sp., followed by Rotylenchulus reniformis were the most frequently found plant-parasitic nematodes through soil assay. However, the bacterium Pasteuria penetrans, an obligate parasite of nematodes, was found attached to the cuticle of Meloidogyne juveniles at 26% of the sites surveyed. Root assay revealed that Helicotylenchus multicinctus reached higher abundance in banana root tissues compared to Meloidogyne sp., R. reniformis, R. similis and Pratylenchus sp. Elevated counts of Pratylenchus sp. and R. similis were only recorded from banana roots at one and two farm sites, respectively. Thus, H. multicinctus which was not considered an important plant-parasitic nematode in the past with respect to Hawaii banana fields should receive greater attention. Finally, the survey confirmed our assumption that potential natural enemies of plant-parasitic nematodes, including omnivorous and predatory nematodes, nematode-trapping fungi and P. penetrans, are commonly found. Any management practices developed to manage nematode problems in Hawaiian banana fields should be cautious of any ill effects on beneficial soil organisms.

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Published

2009-06-01

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Articles