Pratylenchus species associated with blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and weed species in the Pacific North-west of North America

Citation

Zasada, I., Peetz, A., Forge, T. (2017). Pratylenchus species associated with blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and weed species in the Pacific North-west of North America. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, [online] 39(4), 497-502. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2017.1367724

Plain language summary

Over the past two decades blueberry production has expanded dramatically in the Pacific Northwest of the USA and British Columbia, and there has been a corresponding increase in need to identify and understand the pests and diseases developing on blueberry in the region. A group of plant-parasitic nematodes known as the “lesion nematodes” were reported as being widespread in blueberry fields in the region, but the populations had not been identified to species level. The objective of our research was to use molecular techniques to identify the lesion nematode populations in blueberry fields to species, and to assess the presence and host status of weed species that could function as alternative hosts for the lesion nematodes. Eleven blueberry fields were sampled in spring and autumn of 2009. The dominant lesion nematode species, recovered from approximately 50% of root samples, was identified as Pratylenchus crenatus. Thirteen of the most common weed species were identified for the first time as hosts for this species of lesion nematode. Fireweed, common groundsel and clover species were found to be particularly good hosts for the nematode, harboring very large populations in their roots. Our results demonstrate that P. crenatus is the primary lesion nematode species present on blueberry in the PNW and that many of the weeds found in blueberry fields are also hosts for this nematode.

Abstract

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a rapidly growing segment of the agricultural sectors in the Pacific North-west (PNW) of the USA and Canada. Plant-parasitic nematodes are commonly found in blueberry production fields, with root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus species) reported as being widespread; however, the identity of these populations associated with blueberry roots has not been previously determined. Eleven blueberry production fields were sampled in 2009 and blueberry and weed roots and associated soil samples were collected in the spring and autumn to quantify and molecularly identify Pratylenchus species. The dominant species found in blueberry roots and associated soil was Pratylenchus crenatus. Across seasons, P. crenatus was recovered from 47 and 53% of blueberry root samples, at mean population densities of 66 and 50 nematodes/g root in spring and autumn, respectively. Several weed species were also identified for the first time as hosts for P. crenatus. These included Bellis perennis, Bromis sp., Calystegia sepium, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa crus-galli, Epilobium angustifolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Polygonum lapathifolium, Sencio sp., Sonchus sp., Taraxacum officinale and Trifolium sp. In addition, Epilobium angustifolium, Senecio sp., and Trifolium sp. were excellent hosts for P. crenatus with > 6000 nematodes/g root. Our results demonstrate that P. crenatus is the primary root lesion nematode species present on blueberry in the PNW and that many of the weeds found in blueberry fields are also hosts for this nematode. The effect of P. crenatus on blueberry health and productivity remains to be determined.

Publication date

2017-10-02

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