Project name: Meloidogyne exigua

Description: Meloidogyne genus of root-knot nematodes include major agricultural parasites of a wide range of crops worldwide. Host plants include Solanaceae (tomato, egg plant, potato), Cucurbitaceae (melon, cucumber), Leguminosae (bean), carrot, salsify, lettuce, witloof chicory, artichoke, mangold, celery, etc.Species of Meloidogyne show an outstanding diversity in host plants: some of them are extremely polyphagous (with up to 3000 host plants) while the others are restricted to very specific hosts. They also have been know for extreme cytogenetic diversity and their mode of reproduction ranges from obligatory amphimixis to obligatory parthenogenesis. The name Meloidogyne is derived from two Greek words meaning "apple-shaped" and "female".Meloidogyne exigua infects bananas, citrus, coffee, grapes and tobacco.Feeding causes yellowing of leaves, leaf fall, destruction of root hairs and rootlets, root lesions, small root galls, vascular disruption, and secondary invasion.

Last updated: 2004-08-16