Morphological Variation of Root-Knot Nematode Populations in Ethiopia

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., are one of the most important parasites o f economically important crops in most parts o f the world (Sasser 1980, 1987). Until 1989, the genus Meloidogyne had 61 identified species and two subspecies (Eisenback &Triantaphyllou 1991). Four species, M. incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria, and M. hapla, are major pests with worldwide distribution and wide host range. In Ethiopia three species: M. incognita, M. javanica and M. ethiopica, were identified (O’Bannon 1975).