Occurrence of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes of Turfgrass in Korea

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes are not only an important constraint on agricultural crop production, but also cause both direct and indirect damage to turfgrass, which is a ground cover plant. However, studies on plant-parasitic nematodes of turfgrass in Korea are scarce. A survey for plant-parasitic nematodes was carried out on 13 golf courses in Korea. The results yielded 28 species/taxa belonging to 16 genera and 12 families of plant-parasitic nematodes. Among the isolated species, <i>Helicotylenchus microlobus</i>, <i>Mesocriconema</i> <i>nebraskense</i>, <i>Tylenchorhynchus claytoni</i>, <i>Mesocriconema</i> sp., and <i>Meloidogyne graminicola</i> were the most prevalent species in all management zones. Twelve species were new records of plant-parasitic nematodes in Korea. Highest maximum densities were showed by <i>T. claytoni</i>, <i>Paratylenchus nanus</i>, <i>M. nebraskense</i>, <i>M. graminicola</i>, and <i>H. microlobus</i>. Diversity (<i>H’</i>), was significantly higher in fairways compared to tees and greens, though species evenness (<i>J’</i>) and dominance (<i>D</i>) showed no statistically significant differences. This information is crucial in nematode problem diagnosis, and the subsequent formulation of management strategies.