Apple root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne Mali, Its Taxonomy, Ecology, Damage, And control

Abstract

The apple root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne Mali, was described by Itoh, Oshima, and Ichinohe in 1969 (2). In their diagnostic study, this species was figured as “the perineal pattern is characterized by the oval-shape, low arch, smooth and finely spaced striae, a distinct fold over the anus, large phasmids below the surface, phasmids situated wider apart than the length of vulval slit, circular striae on the tail tip region, and the distinct lateral lines.” There are some other characteristic morphology in the males as well as the second M. mali is distributed in apple orchards in the northern part of Honshu (mainland) and Hokkaido (northernmost part of Japan). The nematode reproduces on the roots of apple trees (Malus pumila var. dulcissima) and causes damage to the plant growth.