First report of corn cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae in Afghanistan

Abstract

The corn cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae was found in soil sample collected from five wheat fields with a history of corn cultivation in Nangharhar province, Afghanistan, during May-June 2009. Morphological and morphometric characters of cysts and second stage juveniles were in agreement with those described for this species in other countries. Comparison of the sequences of the large subunit (LSU) of rRNA gene with the data in Genbank supported our classical identification. The occurrence of H. zeae is reported for the first time in Afghanistan. © 2013 Australasian Plant Pathology Society Inc.