Root-lesion and cyst nematodes in cereal fields in Morocco: species identification, population diversity and crop resistance (Fouad Mokrini)

Description

Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN, Heterodera spp.) and root-lesion nematodes (RLN, Pratylenchus spp.) are important plant-parasitic nematodes of wheat and exist in most of the cereal growing regions of the world. As there is limited information on the distribution of CCN and RLN species in Morocco, a survey was organized cereal fields in Morocco. This revealed that H. avenae and P. penetrans are the most prevalent nematodes in cereal production. A combination of tools (morphology, morphometrics, species-specific primers and DNA sequencing) was used to identify and characterize the 11 and 17 populations of CCN and RLN, respectively. The correct identification and quantification of Pratylenchus spp. is a fundamental step in nematode control strategies. However, the identification of P. penetrans and P. thornei based on morphology and morphometric traits is time consuming, requires specialized skills. Two qPCR assays were developed for the accurate detection and quantification of P. penetrans and P. thornei based on the sequences of the β-1,4-endoglucanase gene. The developed qPCR assays were able to estimate the number of both P. penetrans and P. thornei in single and mixed inoculations with other nematodes. This method can be used as a rapid tool in research, as well as in diagnostic labs and extension services advising farmers for pest management. As resistance in wheat is an important tool for management of nematodes, wheat lines developed at CYMMIT were screened. This revealed 3 lines with resistance to P. thornei and one line to P. penetrans. The resistance was not affected by simultaneous inoculation with H. avenae.

Period	2011 → 26-Oct-2016
Held at	Universiteit Gent, Belgium