Potato Cyst Nematodes Globodera spp. in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Our study was conducted in Bekaa area (Lebanon) to determine the presence and distribution of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera spp. A total of 80 soil samples were collected from 30 different areas. Theoverallegg counts revealed that 39 (79.6%) out of 49, cyst affected soil samples,collected contained eggs. In Zahlé, the count of nematodes in the soil samples revealed that 9 out of 11 samples tested (81.8%) contained cysts nematodes, but only 7 (77.7%) of the cyst contained eggs. The level of infestation of soil sample ranged between 0 and 5.3 eggs/g soil. No nematodes infection was detected in samples collected from Aana, Kamed El Laouz, Kefraya and Khiara. The identity of a newly discovered population of potato cyst nematodeGlobodera pallidaassociated with potato in West Bekaa was established by molecular methods.A set ofthreepolymerase chain reaction (PCR)primers readily identifiedthe presence of G. rostochiensis and G. pallida fromfield samples. The origin of this infestationis unknown. The results of the occurrence and distribution of Globodera spp in each area are discussed.