Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne, known as root-knot nematodes (RKN), have an important economic impact on golf course turfgrasses. The most prevalent RKN species associated with grasses are M. chitwoodi, M. graminicola, M. graminis, M. incognita, M. marylandi, M. microtyla, M. minor, M. naasi and M. sasseri. In 2010, slight thickening of the roots and RKN females with unusual features were observed in turfgrass roots on golf courses in Araras, São Paulo state, Brazil. This population (MgARA) was maintained in the lab and studied including morphological, morphometrical, biochemical and molecular markers. Morphology and morphometry were variable and not useful for identification, although perineal pattern morphology showed highly similarity with M. graminis description. Concerning to biochemical characterisation, the esterase phenotype Mg1, characterised by a very slow and fainter band, was detected in some protein homogenates. Regarding to molecular analysis, D2-D3 region of 28S rDNA gene and cytochrome oxidase subunit II region from mitochondrial DNA were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Brazilian isolate, found associated with turfgrass, grouped with M. graminis isolates (98–99% bootstrap; variation of 8–11 and 0–24 bp, respectively), close to M. marylandi, supporting its identification as M. graminis. This is the first report of M. graminis on golf courses in Brazil.
Highlights
The turfgrass industry is expanding in Brazil and the biggest consumer market for turfgrass is the sports industry, mainly soccer fields and golf courses
Yellow patches, reduced or stunted growth and thinning of the turfgrass foliage, and reduced and damaged root systems were observed in a golf course of Araras, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil
Chlorotic turfgrasses plants were sent to the Nematology Laboratory of Agricultural Sciences University/UNESP Botucatu (SP) and the presence of Meloidogyne females with unusual features were found in roots
Summary
The turfgrass industry is expanding in Brazil and the biggest consumer market for turfgrass is the sports industry, mainly soccer fields and golf courses. The quality of the turf in these areas is crucial, especially on golf courses, where any imperfection can affect the outcome of the sport [1]. There are about 110 official state-owned golf courses in Brazil, in addition to many private courses, each measuring ca. Meloidogyne graminis on Brazilian golf courses turfgrass. Carla Maleita (SFRH/BPD/85736/2012) acknowledge FCT for granted fellowships, financed by Ministerio da Educacão e Ciência national funding and by the European Social Funds through Programa Operacional Capital Humano
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