title: Mitochondrial Haplotype-based Identification of Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogynespp.) on Cut Foliage Crops in Florida.
abstract: Florida accounts for more than 75% of the national cut foliage production. Unfortunately, root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogynespp.) are a serious problem on these crops, rendering many farms unproductive. Currently, information on theMeloidogynespp. occurring on most commonly cultivated cut foliage crops in Florida, and tools for their rapid identification are lacking. The objectives of this study were to (i) identify specific RKN infecting common ornamental cut foliage crops in Florida and (ii) evaluate the feasibility of using the mtDNA haplotype as a molecular diagnostic tool for rapid identification of large samples of RKN. A total of 200Meloidogynefemales were collected from cut foliage plant roots.Meloidogynespp. were identified by PCR and RFLP of mitochondrial DNA. PCR and RFLP of mitochondrial DNA were effective in discriminating theMeloidogynespp. present.Meloidogyne incognitais the most dominant RKN on cut foliage crops in Florida and must be a high target for making management decisions. OtherMeloidogynespp. identified includeM. javanica,M. hapla,Meloidogynesp. 1, andMeloidogynesp. 2. The results for this study demonstrate the usefulness of the mtDNA haplotype-based designation as a valuable molecular tool for identification ofMeloidogynespp.
authors.affiliation: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baidoo
authors.affiliation: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611.
authors.forename: Soumi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611.
authors.forename: Tesfamariam M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Mengistu
authors.affiliation: Florida Division of Plant Industry, 1119 SW 34th St., Gainesville, FL 32608.
authors.forename: Janete A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McSorley
authors.affiliation: Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Stamps
authors.affiliation: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611.
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Crow
keywords: MORF/MTHIS; PCR-RFLP; TRNAH/MRH106; cut foliage; endonuclease; identification; mitochondrial haplotype; mtDNA; restriction enzymes