NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Meloidogyne arenaria (MELGAR)

Evaluation continues

Remark: the assessment performed covers the given host species as well as interspecific hybrids with other Prunus species.

Candidate

Main transmission mode (in addition to plants for planting) is soil (EPPO, 2022; PM4/017)
In Europe, root-knot nematodes are increasingly important. Out of more than 90 Meloidogyne species currently described, 23 have been found on the continent. Meloidogyne arenaria, M. javanica and M. incognita are the most common species in warmer conditions of southern Europe, but also in glasshouses in northern Europe (Wesemael et al., 2011). Meloidogyne arenaria is considered to be the most frequent species in Spain after M. incognita (López-Pérez et al., 2011).
The host range of M. arenaria is extremely large and includes members from many plant families including monocotyledons, dicotyledons, and herbaceous and woody plants. This root-knot species parasitizes most of the major food crops (vegetables, fruit trees, brambles and vines) and ornamental plants grown in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates (cited from CABI, 2021).
Eggs and juveniles can be transported with soil, so anything which has soil attached is a potential pathway including agricultural equipment and containers, tools, vehicle tires, and workers clothing or boots (CABI, 2021). The nematodes can also be transported by water; down the river flooded fields can become infected (Clavero-Camacho et al., 2024).
Meloidogyne spp. are not transmitted with seeds (in Wesemael et al., 2011).

Yes

M. arenaria is an economically important plant pathogen that parasitizes thousands of plant species worldwide. The peanut root-knot nematode is a pest of major food crops and significantly reduces the quantity and quality of food and fiber production. The average loss caused by root-knot nematodes is thought to be around 5%; however, in some fields the loss can be complete. In some areas of the world, root-knot nematodes are so common that galls on roots are considered normal. Often the damage caused by these nematodes is overlooked or the blame is placed on other agronomic problems. Stunted, unthrifty growth by infected plants is often attributed to vague agricultural ailments such as tired, poor, worn-out and exhausted land (Sasser and Carter, 1984) (cited from CABI). Although Meloidogyne is considered worldwide as the most important genus of plant-parasitic nematodes, information in the scientific literature on the economic impact of root-knot nematodes in Europe is scarce (Wesemael et al., 2011).
The four major Meloidogyne species, M. incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria, and M. hapla can cause economic damage to stone fruits (Marull et al., 1992) and yield losses (McKenry, 2004) in different parts of the world. Root-knot nematodes cause a 15% loss in vigour and yield of Prunus crops (nurseries and orchards) on a worldwide basis. The economic importance of Meloidogyne spp. to stone fruits was shown with the use of nematicides and rootstocks with nematode resistance. Sharpe et al. (1993) showed that pre-plant fumigation with methyl bromide to control Meloidogyne spp. in peaches increased the cumulative yield over 3 seasons by 2535Kg per hectare. Nematicides have been used to increase yield on many different crops.
In Mediterranean and warm temperate climates, the perennial crops most affected by root-knot nematode species include Prunus spp. and, to a lesser extent fig (Ficus carica) (Saucet et al., 2016).

Medium

No

Candidate

For most Prunus spp., root-stocks resistant against root knot nematodes are available (Saucet et al., 2016); however, the Fruit SEWG considered that these rootstocks are only rarely used. The economic impact is rated as Medium in absence of resistant rootstocks.

Candidate

Rootstocks with a wide resistance spectrum for Meloidogyne spp. have been developed using the Myrobalan plum, P. cerasifera, as a parental (Saucet et al., 2016).
Use of clean soil: The propagation material is kept either in containers of sterilized growing medium or in soil that has been tested and found free from Xiphinema diversicaudatum (see EPPO Standard PM4/35), Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica, Pratylenchus vulnus and Verticillium dahlia (EPPO 2022)
Woody crops are generally grown in long-term specialized production systems that remain in place for decades. It is not possible, therefore, to control polyphagous root-knot nematode species by crop rotation (Saucet et al., 2016).

Candidate