| Legend |
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| Justification for qualification based on EPPO PM 4 Standards |
| Justification for disqualification |
| Additional or non-conclusive information |
| Standard text |
NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Meloidogyne javanica (MELGJA)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST
Name as submitted in the project specification (if different):
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?:
Yes
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?
- Not relevant: Fruits (including hops) 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: Fruits (including hops) sector
Justification (if necessary):
The integration of molecular and isozyme electrophoretic pattern techniques with classical morphological approaches help to provide tools for differentiating Meloidogyne species and significantly improve and facilitate the routine identification of these nematodes (Archidona-Yuste et al., 2018). Some references for identification via morphological characteristics, isozyme electrophoresis and molecular methods are available in EPPO Standard PM 7/103 Diagnostic protocol for Meloidogyne enterolobii.
2 – Status in the EU:
Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?
No
Presence in the EU:
Yes
List of countries (EPPO Global Database):
-
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification (if necessary):
Meloidogyne javanica is, amongst other countries, reported in Bulgaria (Samaliev et al., 2018), Cyprus (Philis, 1983), France (Terlidou, 1974), Germany (CABI, 2021), Greece (Tzortzakakis et al., 2011, Gonçalves et al., 2020), Hungary (CABI, 2021), Italy (Candido et al., 2005), Poland (CABI, 2021), Portugal (Maleita et al., 2022), Spain (Clavero-Camacho et al., 2024)
HOST PLANT N°1: Prunus salicina (PRNSC) for the Fruits (including hops) sector.
Origin of the listing:
Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2014/98/EU and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072
Plants for planting:
Plants intended for planting
3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?
No
Conclusion:
Evaluation continues
Justification (if necessary):
Remarks: M. incognita is only mentioned in PM4/017(3) olive trees and rootstocks, not in the PM4 certification schemes available for all Prunus spp. and pome fruits. These schemes post-date the first mentioning of M. javanica in Europe. However, these certification schemes require that nuclear stock is produced in sterilized growing medium.
The assessment performed covers the given host species as well as interspecific hybrids with other Prunus species.
The assessment performed covers the given host species as well as interspecific hybrids with other Prunus species.
4 - Are the listed plants for planting the main* pathway for the "pest/host/intended use" combination? (*: significant compared to others):
Yes
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification:
Main transmission mode - in addition to plants for planting - is soil (EPPO, 2022; PM4/017)
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) e.g. Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica are the most predominant root-knot nematodes in Spain. Meloidogyne arenaria and M. javanica were positively associated with sandy texture (e.g. soil) (Clavero-Camacho et al., 2024).
Goodey et al. (1965) list a total of 770 host species or varieties for Meloidogyne javanica, including many weeds as well as crop plants. In addition to those crops in the list of hosts, there are many others of economic importance, including tea, grapevine, many vegetables, fruit trees, cereals and ornamentals (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 river flooded fields can become infected (Clavero-Camacho et al., 2024).
Meloidogyne spp. are not transmitted with seeds (in Wesemael et al., 2011).
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) e.g. Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica are the most predominant root-knot nematodes in Spain. Meloidogyne arenaria and M. javanica were positively associated with sandy texture (e.g. soil) (Clavero-Camacho et al., 2024).
Goodey et al. (1965) list a total of 770 host species or varieties for Meloidogyne javanica, including many weeds as well as crop plants. In addition to those crops in the list of hosts, there are many others of economic importance, including tea, grapevine, many vegetables, fruit trees, cereals and ornamentals (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 river flooded fields can become infected (Clavero-Camacho et al., 2024).
Meloidogyne spp. are not transmitted with seeds (in Wesemael et al., 2011).
5 - Economic impact:
Are there documented reports of any economic impact on the host?
Yes
Justification:
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 Libya, 2000 peach seedlings died when planted into soil heavily infested with M. javanica. The total loss to three nurseries during 1979-1980 was estimated at 115500 Libyan Dinars (Siddiqi, 1982). Meloidogyne javanica is economically important to almond production. In Libya, economic loss of almond seedlings from root-knot nematodes was estimated at 330,000 Libyan Dinars (Siddiqi, 1982).
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).
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 Libya, 2000 peach seedlings died when planted into soil heavily infested with M. javanica. The total loss to three nurseries during 1979-1980 was estimated at 115500 Libyan Dinars (Siddiqi, 1982). Meloidogyne javanica is economically important to almond production. In Libya, economic loss of almond seedlings from root-knot nematodes was estimated at 330,000 Libyan Dinars (Siddiqi, 1982).
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).
What is the likely economic impact of the pest irrespective of its infestation source in the absence of phytosanitary measures? (= official measures)
Medium
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?
No
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:
Candidate
Justification:
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.
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?
Yes
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification:
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).
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).
7- Is the quality of the data sufficient to recommend the pest to be listed as a RNQP?
Yes
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification:
CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:
Recommended for listing as an RNQP based on data.
8 - Tolerance level:
Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:
No
Proposed Tolerance levels:
9 - Risk management measures:
Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:
No
Proposed Risk management measure:
Justification (if necessary):
The Fruit SEWG discussed how visual examination should be performed in a nursery: although random inspection of the roots of asymptomatic plants for this nematode is better (i.e. uprooting some asymptomatic plants), some countries considered that it would have an unacceptable economic impact and recommended that root examination is only performed following suspicions.
REFERENCES:
- CABI (2021). Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode) (accessed 2/May/2024). https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.33245
- Candido V, Miccolis V, Basile M, D Addabbo T & Gatta G (2005). Soil solarization for the control of Meloidogyne javanica on eggplant in Southern Italy. Acta horticulturae, 698, 195-200.
- Clavero-Camacho I, Archidona-Yuste A, Cantalapiedra-Navarrete C, Castillo P & Palomares-Rius JE (2024) Prevalence and ecological factors affecting the distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes in Prunus groves in Spain Journal of Integrative Agriculture 23(2), 566–589.
- Duval H, Van Ghelder C, Portier U, Confolent C, Meza P & Esmenjaud D (2019). New Data Completing the Spectrum of the Ma, RMia, and RMja Genes for Resistance to Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Prunus. Phytopathology 109(4):615-622. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-05-18-0173-R
- EPPO (2022) PM 4/17 (3) Certification scheme for olive trees and rootstocks. EPPO Bulletin 52, 590–60. DOI: 10.1111/epp.1288
- Gonçalves AR, Conceição IL, Kormpi M & Tzortzakakis EA (2020). Lavandula angustifolia and Oxalis pes-caprae, hosts of Meloidogyne hapla and Meloidogyne javanica - A note for Meloidogyne luci in Greece. Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 13(2), 78-82. https://sciendo.com/pl/article/10.2478/hppj-2020-0008?content-tab=abstract.
- Goodey JB, Franklin MT, Hooper DJ (1965). T. Goodey's the nematode parasites of plants catalogued under their hosts. 3rd. ed. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
- Maleita C, Santos D, Abrantes I & Esteves I (2022). First report of root knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica parasitizing sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas, in Portugal. Plant Disease 106(9), 2536.
- Marull J, Pinochet J, Felipe A & Cenis JL (1994) Resistance verification in Prunus selections to a mixture of thirteen Meloidogyne isolates and resistance mechanisms of a peach-almond hybrid to M. javanica. Fundamental and Applied Nematology 17(1), pp.85-92.
- McKenry MV (2004) Three nematode genera and the damage they cause for plum producers. Journal of Nematology 36(3), p.333.
- Philis J, 1983. Occurrence of Meloidogyne spp. and races on the island of Cyprus. Nematologia Mediterranea 11(1), 13-19.
- Samaliev HY, Salkova DS, Baycheva OTs, Zinovieva SV & Udalova ZhV (2018) Investigations of the root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne (Goeldi, 1887) on the territories of Bulgaria and Russian Federation. Russian Journal of Parasitology 12(4), 94–98. DOI: 10.31016/1998-8435-2018-12-4-94-9
- Saucet SB, Van Ghelder C, Abad P, Duval H & Esmenjaud D9 (2016) Resistance to root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. in woody plants. New Phytologist (2016) 211: 41–56. doi: 10.1111/nph.13933
- Sharpe RR, Pusey PL, Nyczepir AP & Florkowski WJ (1993) Yield and economics of intervention with peach tree short life disease. Journal of production agriculture 6(2), pp.241-244.
- Siddiqi ZA (1982) Nematode problems in fruit tree nurseries in Libya. The Libyan Journal of Agriculture 11(1).
- Simeone AM & Di Vito M (1990) Reactions to nematodes of selections of peach rootstocks. Peach, XXIII IHC 315, pp.197-202.
- Terlidou MC (1974). Effect of root knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood in vine nurseries. Vitis, 12, 316-319.
- Toth F, Bogdányi FT, Petrikovszki R, Gódor A, Zalai M, Balint B, Sunder P & Myrta, A. (2019). Control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and weeds in protected cucumber with dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) over two crop cycles: The first results in Hungary. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica 54(2), 267-278.
- Wesemael W, Viaene N & Moens M. (2011). Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Europe. Nematology 13(1), 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1163/138855410X526831