Incidence of the Rice Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, in Guangxi, China

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are the most destructive group of plant-parasitic nematodes. Plants infected by Meloidogyne spp. develop above-ground symptoms, stunting, yellowing, nutrient deficiencies, and gall formations with typical hook-shaped root tips. Infected plants experience yield losses. During 2018-2019 survey, leaf chlorosis rice plants were found in 206 fields of 67 counties in Guangxi, China, around 30 days after transplanting. Galls and hooked tips on the roots and pear-shaped females were observed. About 32.04% of fields were infested with the nematode. The nematodes were identified as Meloidogyne graminicola base on morphological and molecular analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. graminicola on rice plants in Guangxi, China. The results of this study urge the discovery of resistant cultivars and the development of management strategies.