First Report of Columbia Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) in Potato in New Mexico.

Following a report of Columbia root-knot nematode in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) imported by Mexico from the United States in spring 2000, six fields in San Juan County, NM, were surveyed in August 2000. Soil samples from two fields in which the exported potatoes had been produced contained second-stage juveniles that were tentatively identified as Columbia root-knot nematode. During the 2000 potato harvest, state inspectors detected tubers from four additional fields that exhibited symptoms of Columbia root-knot nematode, including warty exteriors and discrete small brown lesions that were apparent to a depth of 1 cm below the tuber surface. Meloidogyne chitwoodi Golden et al. (1) was confirmed from a subsample of tubers sent to the USDA Nematology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, in October 2000. Identification was based on morphological examination of the nematodes recovered from tubers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. chitwoodi from New Mexico. No Columbia root-knot nematodes were recovered from soil samples collected at 26 locations throughout San Juan County in 1988 and 1989, nor had symptomatic tubers or plants been observed in this area previously. Columbia root-knot nematode most likely represents a recent introduction into northwestern New Mexico. Additional information regarding distribution of this nematode within the region is needed. References: (1) A. M. Golden et al. J. Nematol. 12:319-327, 1980.

First Report of Meloidogyne partityla on Pecan in New Mexico.

For several years, decline was observed in mature pecan (Carya illinoensis (F.A. Wangenheim) K. Koch) trees in an orchard in Dona Ana County, New Mexico despite normal fertilization and irrigation practices. Affected trees were growing in sandy soil in two widely separated irrigation terraces and exhibited chlorosis of foliage and substantial die-back of branches in the upper canopy. Examination of feeder roots revealed the presence of numerous small galls and egg masses, with root-knot nematode females often visibly protruding from root tissue. Attempts to culture the nematode on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'Rutgers') were unsuccessful. Females and egg masses were collected from fresh pecan roots and sent to the USDA Nematology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, in October 2000, where specimens were identified as Meloidogyne partityla Kleynhans (1) based on morphological examination. This is the first report of M. partityla from New Mexico, and the second report of this nematode outside South Africa. Starr et al. (2) first reported M. partityla from pecan in the United States in 1996, after recovering the nematode from five orchards in Texas. In their study, the host range of M. partityla was limited to members of the Juglandaceae, which may explain the inability of the New Mexico population to reproduce on tomato. Additional information is needed regarding distribution of this nematode within pecan-growing regions throughout North America. References: (1) K. P. N. Kleynhans. Phytophylactica 18:103, 1986. (2) J. L. Starr et al. J. Nematol. 28:565, 1996.