A Study on the Presence of Potato Cyst Nematodes: Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich, 1959 and Globodera pallida Stone 1973 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) in Nevşehir Province, Turkey

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) and Globodera pallida (Stone) cause significant yield losses and have been listed as quarantine pests for many countries in the world including Turkey, and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO, A2). In Turkey, the current potato production area is decreasing due to contamination by quarantine agents, and new fields are under threat of invasion by new quarantine organisms. In this study, samples were collected from Nevşehir province, Turkey, in potato growing fields during the spring growing season in 2014-2015. Soil samples were washed using Fenwick's can and cysts were extracted and identified using molecular markers. The species-specific molecular markers generated a 435 bp using PITSr3, PITSp4 and ITS5 primers. The potato golden cyst nematode, G. rostochiensis was identified in Nevşehir potato production areas and this is the first report for the Central Anatolia Region. In addition, G. rostochiensis was found in two samples of the same field in the surveys. The average cyst nematode density was determined as 60 cysts in 250 g soil.