Integrated Management Of Root-Knot Nematodes In Mediterranean Horticultural Crops

Abstract

Several vegetables are grown in the countries around the Mediterranean basin for fresh consumption as a basic component of the Mediterranean diet. A singular climatology allows cropping thorough all year. A great socio-economic and cultural diversity makes of this area a mosaic, where large and small-scale production systems are coexisting. Meloidogyne is the main plant parasitic nematode that causes yield losses mainly in protected crops due to climate and intensiveness. M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria are the most frequent species found in almost all countries. The principles of control of root-knot nematodes are changing from the only use of nematicides, to eradicate them, to integrated nematode management, accepting their presence at levels that not cause economic yield loss, according to sustainable agriculture systems. Basic information on biology, plant-nematode interaction, potential yield losses, yield value, and efficacy and cost of control methods, are necessary to elaborate prediction models to design integrated management strategies.