Incidence and geographical distribution of cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera spp.) in winter wheat fields in Algeria

Abstract

Incidence and geographical distribution of the cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera spp.) in winter wheat fields in Algeria. Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN, Heterodera spp.) are the most damaging plant-parasitic nematode species on wheat, causing severe economic loss in global wheat production. In summer 2015, we analyzed samples collected from 22 wheat fields in Algeria using the Fenwick can technique. The study revealed that 54.55 % of wheat fields were infested with cereal cyst nematodes. The species was observed in several locations in the northern part of Algeria but not in the southern desert area. Population densities of CCNs in soil varied between the regions at an infestation rate of between 0.6 ± 0.54 and 86.6 ± 19.96cysts/500 g of dried soil. Furthermore, we found an average of 56.33 ± 15.18 and 364.70 ± 81.93 second-stage juveniles and eggs per cyst. The infestation was most severe in cereal fields in Draa Semar and Djendel with 86.6 ± 19.96 cyst/500 g of soil and 57.4 ± 17.55 cysts/500 g of soil, respectively. Infestation was lowest in fields in Ras Elouad, Sidi Mbarek and Sedraia with 0.6 ± 0.54 cysts/500 g of soil; 1.6 ± 1.67 cysts/500 g of soil and 2.4 ± 1.67 cysts/500 g of soil, respectively. Heterodera spp. was distributed throughout the cereal growing province in Algeria and could cause economic loss in these regions.

Effects of Soil Salinity on Cereal Cyst Nematodes (Heterodera) and Potato Golden Nematodes (Globodera)

“…In the case of our study, the average infestation level reached 11,38 Eggs+D2/g soil in the upper Chelif, which is the maximum level of harmfulness, followed by the middle Chelif and finally the lower CHELIF with 0,55 Eggs+D2/g soil (Figure 5). The work reported by Djetti et al (2018), indicates that the Heterodera species is present in the whole cereal-growing area in Algeria. The most important presence concerns the areas of Draa Semar and Djendel (cereal plains located in the upper Chelif) with respectively 17,32 and 11,48 cysts/100 g soil.…”