NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Meloidogyne 1MELGG

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST

Name as submitted in the project specification (if different):

Meloidogyne spp.

Pest category:

Nematoda

1- Identity of the pest/Level of taxonomic listing:

Is the organism clearly a single taxonomic entity and can it be adequately distinguished from other entities of the same rank?

Yes

Is the pest defined at the species level or lower?:

Can listing of the pest at a taxonomic level higher than species be supported by scientific reasons or can species be identified within the taxonomic rank which are the (main) pests of concern?

Yes: Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds) sector

If necessary, please list the species:

Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?

Not relevant

Conclusion:

Candidate: Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds) sector

Justification (if necessary):

Root-knot nematode (M. exigua, M. naasi, M. hapla, M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. javanica, M. ethiopica) (EPPO Global Database, Kotcon et al., 1985; Davis et al., 2003; CABI, 2017) are polyphagous pests. They all cause characteristic knots (galls), swellings and other malformations on the roots of onion. M. ethiopica is included in EPPO alert list (https://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/alert_list.htm) (EPPO website). These species cause similar symptoms on the host and they are all present in the EU. Distinction among them can be difficult. Including all the species in the genus would make for practical application and avoid the need for full identification to species of any root-knot nematodes found in the material to be eventually marketed.
Remark: In the RNQP Questionnaire, for the 'Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds)' Sector, GB supported a listing at the Genus level for Allium cepa but did not support such a listing for Cucumis melo, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum melongena (no justification was given, and no information for the other host plants). No other EU Member States selected this entry as an important entry in the RNQP Questionnaire.
For the 'Ornamental' Sector, no country supported a listing of the entire genus. However SE suggested to define specific Risk management measures for this entry on Citrus, Prunus and Rosa. Experts commented that for ornamentals, the principal risk is linked to M. hapla.

2 – Status in the EU:

Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?

Presence in the EU:

Yes

List of countries (EPPO Global Database):

Conclusion:

candidate

Justification (if necessary):

The pest is present worldwide.

HOST PLANT N°1: Cucurbita pepo (CUUPE) for the Vegetable propagating and planting material (other than seeds) sector.

Origin of the listing:

2 - Vegetable seedling sector: Commission Directive 93/61/EC

Plants for planting:

Plants intended for planting

3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?

Conclusion:

Evaluation continues

4 - Are the listed plants for planting the main* pathway for the "pest/host/intended use" combination? (*: significant compared to others):

Conclusion:

Not candidate

Justification:

Meloidogyne spp. is a soil borne pest. It survives in weeds and in the crop debris. It spreads with infested materials, by human assisted means, root debris and soil but an infestation in a seedling nursery of vegetable species is unlikely. The SEWG considered that, for Meloidogyne as a genus, it is not possible to state that plants for planting are the main pathway. Most host species have a short growing season and are produced from seed. ‘Substantially free’ is a sufficient measure.

5 - Economic impact:

Are there documented reports of any economic impact on the host?

Yes

Justification:

Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. are very destructive to all cultivated cucurbit species. They are polyphagous endoparasitic nematodes which cause knots, swellings and other malformations on the roots. Damage is usually associated with patches of stunted, chlorotic plants within a field. Symptoms include early yellowing of foliage, reduced size and number of leaves and excessive wilting. This results in lower yield and fruit quality.
- Meloidogyne incognita is the commonest species. It can be found in sandy soils causing high yield losses.
- Meloidogyne javanica prevails in warmer climates.
- Meloidogyne arenaria can be found mainly in loamy soils, often associated with M. incognita.
- Meloidogyne hapla is commonest in a continental climate or on winter crops in the Mediterranean region (EPPO, 2004).

What is the likely economic impact of the pest irrespective of its infestation source in the absence of phytosanitary measures? (= official measures)

Is the economic impact due to the presence of the pest on the named host plant for planting, acceptable to the propagation and end user sectors concerned?

Is there unacceptable economic impact caused to other hosts (or the same host with a different intended use) produced at the same place of production due to the transfer of the pest from the named host plant for planting?

Conclusion:

Justification:

6 - Are there feasible and effective measures available to prevent the presence of the pest on the plants for planting at an incidence above a certain threshold (including zero) to avoid an unacceptable economic impact as regards the relevant host plants?

Conclusion:

Justification:

7- Is the quality of the data sufficient to recommend the pest to be listed as a RNQP?

Conclusion:

Justification:

CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:

Disqualified: plants for planting are not the main pathway for Meloidogyne as a genus.

8 - Tolerance level:

Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:

Proposed Tolerance levels:

Delisting.

9 - Risk management measures:

Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:

Proposed Risk management measure:

Delisting.

REFERENCES:

EPPO (2004) Good plant protection practice PP 2/32 (1) Outdoor cucurbits. OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 34, 101-108;