Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF CROP HEALTH, cilt.78, sa.3, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are among the most destructive plant-parasitic nematodes in affecting greenhouse vegetable production worldwide. Although several regional studies have been conducted, the species composition and race distribution ofof Meloidogyne populations in Turkish greenhouse systems remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to determine the distribution, species composition, and physiological races of Meloidogyne populations in greenhouse vegetable production areas of the Aegean Region of Turkiye. During the period 2020-2022, eighty root samples with typical gall symptoms were collected from greenhouse-grown vegetables across nine provinces in the Aegean region. Populations were characterized morphologically (perineal pattern and J2 morphometrics), molecularly (species-specific PCR and sequencing), and physiologically (North Carolina Differential Host Test). Overall, four Meloidogyne species were identified: M. incognita (n = 56; races 2, 5, and 6), M. javanica (n = 17; races 1 and 5), M. arenaria (n = 2; race 2), and M. hispanica (n = 5). M. incognita and M. javanica were the predominant species, while M. hispanica was detected in multiple provinces and host crops. This study expands the known geographical distribution and host range of M. hispanica in Turkiye. While its presence on tomato and pepper had been previously confirmed, this work documents its occurrence on cucumber and bean for the first time, suggesting broader host adaptability and the establishment of stable populations in greenhouse agroecosystems.