Distribution and molecular identification of Meloidogyne spp. associated with tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivation in the Agro-ecological zone of the Guinean high savannah of Cameroon (Adamawa)

Blaise Kamaya Blaise Kamaya,Dieudonne Ndjonka Dieudonne Ndjonka,Toua Vroumsia Toua Vroumsia,Jacqueline Vildina Dikti Jacqueline Vildina Dikti

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2022.18.2.0076

Blaise Kamaya Blaise Kamaya, Dieudonne Ndjonka Dieudonne Ndjonka + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2022.18.2.0076

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Abstract

Meloidogyne represent a genus of plant-parasitic nematode. This nematode is serious crop pests, including tomatoes and is widespread in almost all regions of the world. Very little attention has been paid to these parasites in Cameroon and none in the agro-ecological zone of the Guinean high savannah. We therefore undertook this study to identify and assess the density of this nematode in this area. For this study, a total of 30 root samples were collected in tomatoes production areas from 4 districts and females Meloidogyne were isolated and counted. Specific identification was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using the markers C2F3/1108 and COX1. The genus Meloidogyne was thus identified in the 30 production basin sites of this zone. High densities of Meloidogyne were observed in 18 sites, with an average density of between 21-50 females per gram of fresh root. In contrast, low densities were noted at 12 sites with values between 6 and 19 females per gram of root. However, this distribution is function of the cropping period, soil texture, pH, organic matter content, soil saturation rate, and cropping practices (host or non-host plants and fallow practice). Electrophoretic profiles of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) amplified with C2F3/1108 and COX1 primers showed corresponding migrations at 1700 bp, 1100 bp and 421 bp characteristic of the presence of M. incognita/M. javanica, M. arenaria and M. incognita/M. hapla in this agro-ecological zone. In view of these results, which provide information on the distribution of Meloidogyne in this area, it seems necessary for producers to develop management strategies by improving preventive techniques and by piloting technical and cultural itineraries for the control of this plant pest.

Highlights

The genus Meloidogyne, commonly known as root-knot nematodes, are a genus of obligate plant-parasitic nematodes
Following the principle of Fortuner and Merny [16] according to which a genus of nematode is frequent in an area when it is present in at least 30 % of the samples, the genus Meloidogyne is more frequent in the studied area with a frequency that is largely superior to the threshold described by these authors
A study conducted in Egypt by Ibrahim and Handoo [29] identified the genus Meloidogyne associated with the cultivation of Lantana camara, Mentha piperita, Psidium guajava and Olea europaea with frequencies of 54 %, 46 %, 56 % and 60 % respectively higher than that described by Fortuner and Merny [16]

Summary

Introduction

The genus Meloidogyne, commonly known as root-knot nematodes, are a genus of obligate plant-parasitic nematodes These nematodes are the most serious enemies of crops in all latitudes. They are often found in tropical and subtropical regions, temperate regions, and even in greenhouses setup It has been found in southern USA, Australia, West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal), Cameroon [2]. These parasites are compromising food security worldwide, accentuated by climate change in recent decades [3]. Infection by these root-knot nematodes results in losses estimated at US$78 billion worldwide each year [4]. To remedy this parasitic pressure and increase the resilience of the population in the face

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