Expert Working Group for performing PRA on Meloidogyne enterolobii

Paris, 2009-05-25/28

The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the Netherlands brought to the attention of the EPPO Secretariat the risk that Meloidogyne enterolobii (syn. M. mayaguensis) may present for the EPPO region. Both the NPPOs of the Netherlands and Germany have detected M. enterolobii (syn. M. mayaguensis) in imported plant material from different parts of the world. Within the tropical root-knot nematodes, this species can be considered as one of the most damaging species and several economically important species are host plants. Resistance to other tropical root-knot nematodes of important crop cultivars, such as the Mi gene carrying tomato cultivars, is not effective against M. enterolobii. In 2008, an outbreak was detected in Switzerland. The pest was added on the EPPO Alert List in 2008-05 and was selected as a priority for PRA in 2008.

Courtesy: Dr Sebastian Kiewnick, ACW (CH)
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The overall conclusion of the Expert Working Group is that the pest presents a risk of establishment in the EPPO region. Outdoor establishment is likely in the southern part of the region. The pest may also survive in the northern part of the region but temperature is less favourable for tropical root-knot nematodes. Establishment under protected conditions is possible in all parts of the region. Economic impact is likely to be higher than for other root knot nematodes as it produces bigger galls (which can be correlated with reduction of crop yields). An important economic impact is noted in two glasshouses in Switzerland where it has been detected in tomato and cucumber production Also the ability of this nematode species to overcome root-knot nematode resistance genes in economically important crops presents an additional risk.

The conclusions of the EWG will be reviewed by different bodies in the EPPO system in 2009-2010.

The Expert Working Group was composed of:

Ms Anthoine Géraldine French National Plant Health Laboratory- Nematology Unit (FR)
Ms Brito Janete Florida Department of Agriculture, Consumer Service, Division of Plant Industry (US)
Mr Guitian Castrillon Jose Maria Tecnologias y Servicios Agrarios, S. A. – TRAGSATEC (ES)
Ms Ilieva Zhenya Plant Protection Institute (BG)
Mr Karssen Gerrit Plant Protection Service (NL)
Mr Kiewnick Sebastian Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Research Station ACW, Plant Protection Zoology/Nematology (CH)
Mr Niere Bjorn Julius Kühn-Institut (DE)
Mr Steffek Robert Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Institute for Plant Health (AT)-(core member)
EPPO Secretariat: Ms Petter Françoise, Mr Sunley Robert