Phytonematode Community Structure and Dynamics on Ornamental Plantations of Egypt

In a survey study, 21 phytonematode genera, Aphelenchoides,Criconemoides, Brachydorus, Criconema, Ditylenchus, Helicotylenchus,Hemicriconemoides, Hemicycliophora, Heterodera, Hoplolaimus, Longidorus,Meloidogyne, Paratylenchus, Pratylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Scutellonema,Tetylenchus, Tylenchorhyncus, Tylenchulus, Tylenchus and Xiphinema were foundinfesting rhizosphere of ornamental plantations in 5 Egyptian governorates. As thesoil lighten, the nematode genera thrive, populate and diverse. Helicotylenchus,Hoplolaimus and Paratylenchus were recorded in high abundance and density inpeat samples. The surveyed perennials were poor in their infestation.Helicotylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Tylenchorhynchus and Tetylenchus were incommon association with the ornamental trees (Italian cypress, Ficus andFlamboyant). Nematode genera abundance and density were variable in shrubs.Paspalum samples infested with 15 out of the recorded 21 genera.Dynamics of Criconemoides, Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus andRotylenchulus on four shrubs (Schefflera, Windoleaf, Dodonea, Lantana) grow inclay loam soil indicate that nematodes achieved high and low seasonal patternsdepending on soil temperature, host plant, nematode species and nature ofnematode parasitism.