Identification, distribution and genetic diversity of Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich, 1959 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) populations in Turkey

Abstract

The golden nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich, 1959 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) is one of the most economically important pests of potato in the world. Tests for this nematode are routinely performed for outbreaks and densities in potato growing areas. The morphological and molecular analyses for precise determination of the nematode are employed to establish appropriate management strategies. This study showed that 96% of soil samples obtained from Bozdag and Odemis Districts of Izmir Province, during 2017 and 2018 potato growing seasons, were positive for G. rostochiensis. The mean number of cysts ranged from 0.01 to 3.70 cysts g-1 soil in the fields examined. The examination of the morphological and morphometric features of the second-stage juveniles and cysts of the G. rostochiensis revealed slight differences among the populations obtained from Bozdag and Odemis. To assess the accuracy of the identification, partial sequences of ribosomal DNA for all populations were amplified, sequenced, and deposited in GenBank. The comparisons of the sequences with those of corresponding G. rostochiensis populations available in GenBank showed 99.89-100% nucleotide similarity. The results of this study will help to better understand the physiology, ecology and biology of the nematode to quarantine this pest more effectively.