Occurrence of Meloidogyne chitwoodi in Germany
Damage to potato tubers caused by Meloidogyne chitwoodi (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been described in the Northwest of the USA since approximately 1974. The nematode itself was described in 1980. In 1985, this root-knot nematode was also recorded from the Netherlands, and analysis of preserved tubers showed that it has probably been present in the country since the 1930s (EPPO RS 514/15, 1991). In Germany, potato tubers attacked by root-knot nematodes were observed in autumn 1994. Morphological and biochemical studies excluded the possibility that these outbreaks could be due to M. hapla or to one of the other Meloidogyne species known to occur in field or glasshouse conditions in Germany. The galls found in potato tubers were obviously caused by M. chitwoodi. The three findings of Meloidogyne from Germany could be identified as M. chitwoodi sensu lato, they were found near Hamburg and near the Dutch border. Morphological differences do not yet allow accurate assignment to M. chitwoodi forms identified in the Netherlands.
Sources
Müller, J.; Sturhan, D.; Rumpenhorst, H.J.; Braasch, H.; Unger, J.G. (1996) [On the occurrence of a root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) new to Germany.]
Nachrichtenblatt des Deutchen Pflanzenschutzdienstes, 18(6), 126-131.