Review: Nematological Problems in Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree Crops

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause problems on a number of tropical fruit tree crops. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) can severely damage fig (Ficus carica), guava (Psidium guajava), papaya (Carica papaya), acerola (Malpighia glabra), and pomegranate (Punica granatum), and injure seedlings of date (Phoenix dactylifera) and olive (Olea europaea). Hemicriconemoides mangiferae is associated with serious decline of lychee (Litchi chinensis) and mango (Mangifera indica), and is pathogenic to sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica). Rotylenchulus reniformis is associated with many fruit species, and can be damaging to papaya. The fig cyst nematode. Heterodera fici, severely damages fig seedlings. Biotypes of Tylenchulus semipenetrans can cause damage to olive or persimmon (Diospyros spp.). Pratylenchus vulnus can stunt growth of young olive or avocado (Persea americana) trees. Since few control measures are available for nematode problems on existing trees, it is