Identification method for Meloidogyne hapla, M. chitwoodi and M. fallax
Meloidogyne hapla is often found associated with M. chitwoodi and M. fallax (both EPPO A2 quarantine pests). As the three species are difficult to distinguish morphologically, there is a need for simple and reliable identification methods. A method has been studied in France and Netherlands to distinguish between these root-knot nematodes species. The method is using satellite DNA sequences isolated from the 3 nematodes species as probes in dot-blot or squash blot experiments. With this technique, M. hapla could be distinguished from the quarantine nematodes M. chitwoodi and M. fallax, but the latter two species could not be differentiated. The authors concluded that satellite DNA sequences could be useful tools for the identification of Meloidogyne populations in the field, for management and quarantine purposes.
Sources
Catagnone-Sereno, P.; Leroy, R.; Bongiovanni, M.; Zijlstra, C.; Abad, P. (1999) Specific diagnosis of two root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax, with satellite DNA probes.
Phytopathology, 89(5), 380-384.