Identification of root-knot nematode infecting pomegranate, Punica granatum L. in Haryana

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes are the most plant parasitic nematodes causing serious damage in pomegranate. Accurate identification of Meloidogyne species is of great importance for effective management of root-knot nematodes. Morphological identification of Meloidogyne spp. has been long and extensively used. However, molecular diagnostics was reported as a replacement or a complement method. Examination of the perineal patterns of the female was typically identified the nematode species as Meloidogyne javanica which was dominant in both pomegranate infected orchard samples. For further confirmation of identification, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay with species-specific sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primer set was performed. The Fjav/Rjav primer efficiently amplified SCAR markers of 670 bp, which were previously reported for Meloidogyne javanica. These results support that SCAR markers are a powerful tool for rapid and effective detection and could be used as a complementary tool together with the morphological identification of root-knot nematodes.