First report of Meloidogyne enterolobii in Saudi Arabia
The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii (EPPO A2 List) is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia. In September 2023, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) with stunting and yellowing symptoms were observed in tomato fields in Najran and Jazan regions (in the southern part of the country). Uprooting of plants revealed galled roots. The identity of the pest was confirmed using morphological and molecular testing.
In the Middle East, M. enterolobii was so far only known to occur in Egypt where it was first reported in 2023 (EPPO RS 2023/140).
Sources
Yusuf AG, Al-Yahya F, Saleh AA (2025) First report of guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) infecting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Saudi Arabia. Plant Disease (early view) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-25-1039-PDN