Details on the situation of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in South Africa
In South Africa, Meloidogyne chitwoodi (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been reported on potatoes from Boston and Mooi River in Kwazulu-Natal, and on potatoes and wheat from Montgomery in the Eastern Cape. In 1995, potato yield losses were observed by farmers in the Mooi River area, due to a heavy infestation of M. chitwoodi. The identity of the nematode was verified by using an ITS-PCR method. Trials on host plant suitability were also carried out with a M. chitwoodi population from Mooi River. Result showed that Lycopersicon esculentum, Brassica rapa, Eragrostis tef and Lolium multiflorum supported high populations of M. chitwoodi, whereas E. curvula, Arachis hypogea and Zea mays were poor hosts, but these plants were nevertheless able to maintain populations of M. chitwoodi.
Sources
Fourie, H.; Ziljlstra, C.; McDonald, A.H. (1998) ITS-PCR sequence-based identification of Meloidogyne chitwoodi from Mooi River, South Africa, and screening of crops for host suitability.
African Plant Protection, 4(2), 107-111.