Survey of root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. associated with different economic crops and weeds in Egypt

Globally, root-knot nematodes (RKN) recorded as destructive plant pathogen with a wide host range. A field survey of RKN Meloidogyne spp. associated with different vegetable and fruit crops and weeds in sandy and clay soil was carried out in Beheira and Menoufia governorates in Egypt. A total of 81 plant and soil samples were collected and examined. Nematodes extracted from soil samples under laboratory conditions and identified then frequency of occurrence (F.O.%) and population density (P.D) were calculated. A survey in the selected locations showed remarkable frequency of occurrence and population density of RKN in many vegetable crops and weeds. Results showed that the population density and frequency of occurrence of RKN Meloidogyne spp. were greatly differed in the different crops and different locations. Results showed that frequency of occurrence of Meloidogyne spp. was 100 % in Kom Hamada, Beheira governorate, wheras the population densities recorded between 154-692 J2 / 250 g soil. Results indicated that Meloidogyne spp. recorded infecting different weeds such as:Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium murale L.), Small bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and Solanum (Solanum nigrum). The frequency of occurrence of root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. showed different values in the surveyed locations.