Plant Parasitic Nematodes of Economic Importance in Texas and Oklahoma

Abstract

The most important plant parasitic nematodes associated with crop production in the states of Texas and Oklahoma are the root-knot nematodes. Meloidogyne incognita limits cotton production. M. arenaria, M. haplanaria, M. javanica (Texas) and M. hapla (Oklahoma) limit peanut production. M. hapla is the most common root-knot nematode affecting potato, though other species including M. chitwoodi have been found on this crop. M. partityla has been found on pecans, M. graminis on grass species, and M. marylandi on turf. Other nematode species that can be highly damaging include the citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) on citrus in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the reniform nematode (Rotylenchus reniformis) on cotton, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) on soybean, sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) on several crops, stem and bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) primarily on alfalfa in Oklahoma, and the foliar nematode (Aphlenchoides besseyi) on rice and ornamentals.