Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Plantain (Musa acuminata x M. balbisiana, AAB) in Puerto Rico

Abstract

A survey was conducted through the five argricultural regions of Puerto Rico to determine distribution and population density of the nematode species associated with plantain. Fourteen genera, represented by 19 species of phytoparasitic nematodes were found in association with the crop: Ditylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, longidorus, Meloidogyne, Paratylenchus, Pratylenchus, Pseudhalenchus, Quinisulcius, Radopholus, Rotylenchulus, Tylenchorhynchus, Tylenchus, and Xiphinema. Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus spp., Radopholus similis, and Rotylenchulus reniformis were the most widely distributed nematode species throughout the Island. On the other hand, M. incognita, P. coffeae, R. similis, Helicotylenchus spp. , and R. reniformis had higher population densities.