Characterization of root-knot nematodes infecting mulberry in Southern China

Abstract

China is one of the largest producers of mulberry in the world. With the development of the sericulture industry, several pests and diseases have occurred in rapid succession, chief among which is the root-knot nematode disease affecting mulberry. According to the China cocoon and silk exchange, cocoon prices have doubled since the beginning of 2009 and rose to 92,700 yuan ($135,770) per tonne in mid-April 2010. According to customs statistics, in the first eight months of 2011, China's silk merchandise exports amounted to 2.39 billion yuan. In this study, sequencing of the rDNA-ITS and D2-D3 region of the 28S rRNA gene was combined with root-knot nematode morphological characteristics to identify the root-knot nematode infecting mulberry in the Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan provinces of China. This resulted in the identification of Meloidogyne enterolobii as the causal species of root-knot nematode infections in these regions. Importantly, the morphological data agreed completely with our molecular phenotyping efforts, indicating that rDNA sequencing could provide a more clear-cut and less labor-intensive means of characterizing root-knot nematode infections in the future. The differences between this study and the previous studies were discussed, as well as the damage degree, host species and influence scope of M. enterolobii.

Transcriptome analysis of resistant and susceptible mulberry responses to Meloidogyne enterolobii infection

“…Development of the sericulture industry has resulted in the occurrence of several pests and diseases in rapid succession, including root-knot nematode disease, an important disease occurring in mulberry plantations across China [ 2 ]. Using morphological and molecular identification methods, Zhang et al [ 3 ] identified the pathogen causing mulberry root-knot nematode disease in Guangdong Province as Meloidogyne enterolobii . This root-knot nematode causes serious damage to economic and food crops [ 4 ] and has become one of the most threatening pathogenic nematodes in both tropical and subtropical regions of the world, causing estimated potential yield losses of 20% [ 5 ].…”

“…Paestakahashi et al [ 21 ] were the first to report parasitic damage caused by M. enterolobii on mulberry in Brazil. Subsequent morphological and molecular analyses conducted by Zhang et al [ 3 ] identified M. enterolobii as the pathogen responsible for mulberry infections in Guangdong Province. Shao et al [ 22 ] examined the resistance of 19 mulberry varieties in Guangdong Province, demonstrating that mulberry C44 is resistant to M. enterolobii while 283 × anti −10 is a susceptible variety.…”

Morus alba: Host reaction for Meloidogyne javanica, biological nematicides assessment and study of these relationships with yield and quality of leaves, cocoon and health of the silkworm

“…Several Meloidogyne species have been reported parasitizing mulberry worldwide. In China, M. enterolobii [7], in Japan, M. mali [8], in India, M. incognita [9], in Brazil, M. incognita and M. javanica [10], and, also in Brazil, M. enterolobii was described parasitizing Morus nigra (blueberry) [11]. These reports highlight the importance and distribution of root-knot nematodes in mulberry growing regions worldwide.…”

Polymorphisms of Mitochondrial COII and16S rRNA Gene in Meloidogyne enterolobii on Mulberry

“…Paestakahashi et al (2015) were the rst to report parasitic damage caused by M enterolobii on mulberry in Brazil. Subsequent morphological and molecular analyses conducted by Zhang et al (2020) identi ed M enterolobii as the pathogen responsible for mulberry infections in the Guangdong Province.…”