Occurrence and Identification of Root-Knot Nematodes on Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Hainan, China

The genus Meloidogyne is one of the most economically damaging plant parasitic nematodes on a worldwide basis. To date, only dragon fruits in Brazil were reported infected by M. javanica or incognita previous surveys. From 2019–2021, we conducted our investigation 62 orchards from 10 counties Hainan, which are main producing areas China. collected roots visually scored gall index to evaluate distribution and severity diseases caused Meloidogyne. Then, isolated further confirmed combination morphological molecular analysis. This survey revealed that root-knot widely distributed red fruit planting Hainan severe symptoms including stunting, wilting, yellowing stems. nematode populations identified as enterolobii javanica, among which, accounted for larger proportion, 93.9%. knowledge, this first report causing fruit. results obtained will provide an insight into presence plants. Also, these raise attention developing effective management strategies prevent spread Hainan.