First report of Meloidogyne mali in the United Kingdom
Meloidogyne mali (EPPO A2 List), the apple root-knot nematode, was recently reported for the first time in the United Kingdom following a targeted survey. Following the detection of M. mali in the Netherlands and Italy (EPPO RS 2014/102) and in France (EPPO RS 2017/043), as well as the recommendations outlined in the EPPO Pest Risk Analysis for M. mali, investigations have been carried out in the United Kingdom. In December 2018, M. mali populations were isolated from the rhizosphere of elm trees (Ulmus sp.) located at two sites in southern England. Host roots exhibited the typical large galls, with small cavities, associated with this species. The pest was identified by morphological and molecular methods.
The situation of Meloidogyne mali in the United Kingdom can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (first found in 2018 in 2 sites in southern England).
Sources
Prior T, Tozer H, Yale R, Jones EP, Lawson R, Jutson L, Correia M, Stubbs J, Hockland S, Karssen G (2019) First report of Meloidogyne mali causing root galling to elm trees in the UK. New Disease Reports 39, 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2019.039.010.
EPPO, 2017. Pest risk analysis for Meloidogyne mali, apple root-knot nematode. https://gd.eppo.int/download/doc/1262_pra_exp_MELGMA.pdf