DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS OF FIJI

A total of 675 soil samples were collected from 10 different agricultural areas around Viti Levu in Fiji during the period of April 2007-April 2008 to determine the distribution, host associations and species diversity of root-knot nematodes. Root-knot nematode species were identified using molecular analysis (SCAR and mt primers), and morphological examination of female, juvenile and male nematodes when available. Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria were found to be widely distributed in all localities throughout Viti Levu with a total incidence of 41% recorded from 675 farms. Meloidogyne spp. was found associated with 33 species of crop plants. Meloidogyne incognita was the most commonly occurring species on 56% of the infested farms followed by M. javanica on 28% and M. arenaria on 10%. Mixed populations of M. incognita and M. javanica were found on 5% of the infested farms. Three unidentified root-knot nematode species (1%) were also recorded and require further investigation.