Characterization of Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, 1940 (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) in a banana greenhouse in Turkey

The banana plant was previously cultivated in open areas in Turkey and in very limited areas due to its special climatic requirements. In recent years, greenhouses where vegetables are cultivated have been converted into greenhouses suitable for banana cultivation. No studies have been carried out on nematodes in these banana greenhouses converted to banana cultivation. In order to effectively manage plant parasitic nematodes, it is essential to have an understanding of the specific species that are causing crop damage. In 2021-2022, a survey was conducted in new banana areas in the Kazanl & imath; district of Mersin province. The nematode population obtained from a banana grown in greenhouses was identified using morphological and molecular characters and SEM. To characterise Rotylenchulus specimens at a molecular level, DNA was extracted from immature females. The D2-D3 expansion region of the 28 S rRNA gene was amplified using the D2A/D3B primer pair, producing a 780 bp product. Additionally, the CoxI gene was amplified using the JB3/JB5 primer pair, producing a 470 bp product. The resulting PCR products were sequenced and compared to Rotylenchulus species available in the GenBank database. Rotylenchulus reniformis was detected in banana greenhouse. This is the first record of R. reniformis in the nematode fauna of T & uuml;rkiye.