Phytonematodes associated with Heliconia spp. in commercial crops in the South coast of Bahia, Brazil

Inadequate management along with factors such as precipitation, humidity and temperature favor pests that limit production and reduce the quality of Heliconia spp. inflorescences. The objective of the present study was to detect and identify phytonematodes associated with heliconias. From August of 2006 to June of 2007, 81 roots and soil samples were collected from Heliconia spp. in seven municipalities of the southern coast of Bahia. Phytonematode extractions were performed with 100 cc(3) of soil and 10 g of roots, per sample. Six nematode genera were detected: Helicotylenchus Steiner, Hemicycliophora De Man, Meloidogyne Goeldi, Mesocriconema Andrassy, Pratylenchus Filipjev and Rotylenchulus Linford & Oliveira. Identified species included: Helicotylenchus erythrinae (Zimmermann) Golden, H. crenacauda Sher (which constitute new occurrence in Heliconia spp. in Brazil), H. dihystera (Cobb) Sher, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, Pratylenchus zeae Graham and Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliveira.