Incidence of root-knot nematodes on different date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars

A survey was conducted in different randomly selected localities of the date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) growing areas of district Kharan for the determination of incidence, prevalence, severity and identification of major species of root-knot nematodes. During the survey, a total of 160 root samples were collected from different localities and cultivars of date-palm. The maximum prevalence was recorded from locality Nouroz Kalat (100%) and the minimum prevalence recorded was (20%) from Totazai and Raskoh. The incidence, as well as severity varied in all the cultivars. The maximum severity and incidence of root-knot nematode was recorded from date-palm cultivar Rabi (90%) followed by Alini (80%) with galling index of 4 and the minimum was recorded in cultivar Kaluth (20%) with a galling index of 1. The root samples collected from date-palm cultivars showed the occurrence of two species of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica which were found to be associated with date-palm in district Kharan. In the present study date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is reported as a new host of Meloidogyne javanica in Pakistan.