Investigation of population fluctuation of important plant parasite nematode species in banana greenhouses

Research on banana nematodes is limited in our country, and there is insufficient information on their status in new banana areas, particularly due to the widespread use of greenhouse cultivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the population development of important nematode species in three banana greenhouses located in Kazanlı district, Mersin province. The study also aimed to collect data for management purposes. The study involved taking soil and root samples from banana greenhouses and investigation of the population density of important nematodes. Results from the soil samples revealed the presence of Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes, which are significant plant-parasitic nematodes. The population monitoring of these nematodes revealed that M. incognita reached its highest level in March when the temperature rose above 15℃ in two newly established greenhouses. Additionally, three generations were formed during the year. In greenhouse number three, a mixed population of M. incognita and R. reniformis was found. The highest population of M. incognita was observed in September between 2021-2022, while in the following year, it was in December between 2022-2023. The nematode R. reniformis reached its highest population in August in both years between 2021-2023 and significantly suppressed the root-knot nematode in the second year.