First report of Meloidogyne luci in Serbia
During an official survey conducted in August 2021, Meloidogyne luci (EPPO Alert List) was found for the first time in Serbia. This root-knot nematode was detected in a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) glasshouse in the village of Lugovo, near Sombor (Vojvodina province). Affected tomato plants showed yellowing, stunting, and extensive root galls. The identity of the nematode was confirmed by molecular tests (RT-PCR and sequencing). This is the first time that M. luci is reported from Serbia. The authors hypothesized that climate change and in particular higher temperatures could lead to further spread and greater damage caused by M. luci to various field crops in the future.
Sources
Bačić J, Pavlović M, Kušić-Tišma J, Širca S, Theuerschuh M, Gerič Stare B (2023) First report of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne luci on tomato in Serbia. Plant Disease 107 (early view). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-23-0164-PDN