Detection of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne luci Carneiro et al., 2014 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) in vegetable fields of Samsun Province, Turkey

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne luci Carneiro et al., 2014 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae), is commonly found in greenhouses in Samsun Province in northern Turkey but has not been reported in open fields. However, the most recent study on the distribution of root-knot nematodes in open fields of this region was conducted more than 20 years ago and identification was based on perineal patterns. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to update the distribution of Meloidogyne spp. in the vegetable fields of Samsun Province. For that purpose, soil samples were collected from 50 vegetable fields during July 2017. Nematode isolates obtained from bioassay tests were identified based on their esterase enzyme phenotype and identification was confirmed with molecular techniques. Root-knot nematodes were detected in 20% of the fields sampled. Meloidogyne luci was the most prevalent species, as was reported from greenhouses in Samsun Province, followed by Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal, 1889) Chitwood, 1949 and Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949. Meloidogyne luci is reported for the first time from open fields in Turkey with this study