Ditylenchus africanus
Contents
Rev 06/05/2006
Ditylenchus africanus |
Contents |
Rev 06/05/2006 |
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| Peanut Pod Nematode |
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Classification |
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Hosts |
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Morphology and Anatomy |
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Life Cycle |
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Economic Importance |
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Damage |
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Distribution |
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Management |
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Feeding |
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References |
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Ditylenchus africanus differs from D. destructor mainly in stylet and spicule lengths and in RFLPs and rDNA characteristics. |
Common in peanut growing areas of the Republic of South Africa and only reported from that area.
Not known in the U.S. Considered an exotic pest of potential significance.
The chances of introduction of this nematode into the United States are considered limited because imported peanut seeds are used for food processing.
Plant breeders should be extremely cautious in importing peanut seeds from South Africa.
D. africanus has fungivorous habits and can be reared in fungal cultures (Aspergillus sp., Botrytis sp., etc.)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is the principal host. Other agronomic crops and weeds can be infected without showing any symptoms or damage.
D. africanus has fungivorous habits and can be reared in fungal cultures (Aspergillus sp., Botrytis sp., etc.)
Unlike D. destructor, D. africanus does not infect potato.
Ditylenchus africanus is disseminated with infected peanut hulls and blemished seeds.
The nematode develops and reproduces in pod tissues causing necrotic discoloration and black or brown stripes. The nematode can also invade the seeds, which appear dark and shrunken. It is able to survive in the hulls and in seeds.
Important pest on the 500,000 acres of peanuts in South Africa where it reduces yield by 12% and reduces quality by discoloring seed testa.
Discolored seed is downgraded into lower quality (and value) classes:
Export>Domestic>Processing. The price changes associated with
downgrading are much more significant than the direct yield loss.
Early harvest of peanuts avoids some economic loss in South Africa. Cultivars are selected that allow early harvest in specific biogeographic regions (Venter, DeWaele, and Meyer, 1991).
Partial resistance has been developed from local African germplasm, elite breeding lines and hybrids. The resistance is overcome at high nematode infestation.
Venter, DeWaele, and Meyer, 1991 - Journal of Nematology
CAB International. 2001. Ditylenchus africanus in: Crop protection compendium, global module, 3rd edition. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
Dewaele. D., C. Venter, and A. H. McDonald. 1997. The peanut pod nematode, Ditylenchus africanus. Nematology Circular No.218, 6 p. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL, USA.
McDonald, A.H., H. Fourie and S. Steemkamp, 2002. Quest for resistance to the peanut pod nematode. Fourth International Congress of Nematology, Tenerife.
Society of Nematologists Regulatory Committee, 2002.
Wendt, C.D., A. Swart, T.C. Vrain, and J.M. Webster. 1995. Ditylenchus africanus sp. n. from South Africa; a morphological and molecular characterization. Fundamentals of Applied Nematology 18:241-250.