Chapter 16 - Nematode problems in tropical fruits and their sustainable management

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes are serious threat to the tropical fruits as they cause major problems targeting productivity and agricultural sustainability. The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) have a tremendous impact on avocado (Persea americana), kiwi (Actinidia chinensis), fig (Ficus carica), papaya (Carica papaya), and pineapple (Ananas comosus) and induce prominent damage on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seedlings. Xiphinema index is associated with significant decline of grapevine (Vitis sp.) and associated with virus transmission, while Hemicriconemoides mangiferae is the main nematode damaging mango (Mangifera indica). Tylenchulus semipenetrans causes significant reduction in the yield of citrus crops (Citrus spp.). Rotylenchulus reniformis is linked to several tropical fruit crops, as it can injure papaya, avocado, and pineapple. Heterodera fici (fig cyst nematode) has economically important implications on fig yield. The root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are widely occurring nematode on tropical fruits with varying damage thresholds. Fortunately, several management measures are implemented against nematode infestation in tropical fruits, ranging from conventional, chemical biological, host resistance, etc. However, it is crucial to consider integrated pest management, so that sustainable management in fruit crops could be fully achieved at a large scale. This chapter provides information regarding the plant parasitic nematodes infesting tropical fruits, global distribution, biology and damage threshold to each fruit tree, yield loss, and their integrated management.