گزارش گیاه زینتی بگونیا به‏ عنوان میزبانی جدید برای گونه Meloidogyne arenaria در ایران

The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are amongst the most important groups of plant parasitic nematodes in terms of economic damage to agricultural crops. About 100 species of this genus have been reported worldwide and among them, seven species have been collected, identified and reported from Iran. However, the most geographical distribution and host range were found in four major species of root-knot nematode, M. incognita, M. hapla, M. arenaria and M. javanica. The present study was carried out with sampling from some greenhouses of ornamental plants in Ardabil province, Iran. Ten samples of begonia plants infected with root- knot nematode were collected from a greenhouse. The main symptoms observed in the collected plants were consisting of stunting, reduction of general plant quality and clearing of leaves and flowers in nematode- infected plants compared to healthy ones. The roots and soils around them were transferred to the laboratory and greenhouse for further investigation. The surface of infected roots after washing with water was stained with lacto glycerin-fuchsin acid solution. Identification of nematode species was carried out using perineal patterns of the females and some morphological and morphometrical features of second-stage juveniles. The result of this study revealed that nematode species belonging to Meloidogyne arenaria. It was the first report of begonia as a host plant for this species. The mentioned species was formerly recorded from various hosts and locations in Iran. But, the present study seems to be the first report of the occurrence of M. arenaria species from Ardabil province.