Occurrence and abundance of nematodes on onion in Turkey and their relationship with soil physicochemical properties

Abstract

Summary The distribution of plant-feeding and free-living nematodes in large scale onion production areas in five geographical regions in Turkey was investigated in 2016 and 2017. Ditylenchus spp. and Tylenchus spp. were widely distributed. The stem and bulb nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci, was found in 48 locations from 13 provinces. Other plant-feeding nematode genera were Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus and Pratylenchoides. Pratylenchus thornei was the most widely distributed root-lesion nematode species in onion fields in 11 locations from seven provinces. Pratylenchus neglectus was present in three locations and P. vulnus was in four locations. Aphelenchus spp. and Aphelenchoides spp. were the principal fungal-feeding nematodes in onion-growing areas. The most abundant bacterial-feeding nematode genera were Acrobeloides, Cephalobus, Eucephalobus and Rhabditis. Acrobeles and Wilsonema genera were low in occurrence and abundance. Nematodes from Dorylaimida and predator nematodes, Mononchus spp., were also found. The numbers of Ditylenchus from plant samples were significantly correlated positively to silt content, and significantly correlated negatively to organic matter and calcium content.