Rootknot nematodes from vineyards and comparisons between crop species as hosts for Meloidogyne spp.

Meloidogyne populations from vineyards were identified by perineal pattern, by mtDNA analysis and by a diagnostic host range test, to assess diversity and to relate this to host range on vineyard inter-row crops. Perineal patterns, covering 17 populations, identified three species, namely M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica. Analysis of mtDNA for 7 populations identified two haplotypes, haplotype A, corresponding to M. arenaria race 2 and haplotype D, corresponding to M. javanica. M. incognita was not detected. The diagnostic host range test, covering 10 populations, indicated a similar outcome for all and identified them as M. arenaria race 2 and/or M. javanica (not separable by test). Results were not consistent with presence of M. incognita. All six populations did not produce eggs on Brumby ryegrass or Coolabah oats, reproduced only slightly on Cooba oats and Adagio radish, but reproduced well on Rangi rape and Polybra turnip and Kopu white clover. The common occurrence of M. incognita in vineyards in Australia is questioned. Low diversity amongst Meloidogyne populations infesting vineyards in Australia is consistent with importation of a small founder population followed by distribution on planting material.