Nematodes detected in andean tubers.

LAX, P.; DOUCET, M.E.; GALLARDO, C.; MURUAGA DE L’ARGENTIER, S.; VILTE, H.

Viña del Mar, Chile.

Congreso; XXXVII Reunión Anual de la Organización de Nematólogos de los Trópicos Americanos (ONTA).; 2005

Skin and parenchyma of tubers of Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigenum (Andean potato), Ullucus tuberosus (“papa lisa”) and Oxalis tuberosa (“oca”) were analyzed with the aim to detect different soil nematodes. Third- and fourth-stage juveniles, as well as immature females of Nacobbus aberrans were detected in varieties of Andean potato from different localities of the Argentine provinces of Jujuy (“colorada”, Palca de Aparzo; “collareja”, Yaví; “collareja redonda”, Purmamarca) and Salta (“colorada” and “ojosa”, Campo Carreras; “collareja”, Santa Victoria; “chacarera redonda”, Iruya). Mature females of Meloidogyne javanica were observed in tubers of the varieties “collareja” from Humahuaca and Yaví (Jujuy), and “negra” from Alfarcito (Jujuy). In the latter case, tubers were infected also by M. incognita. Few specimens of the family Anguinidae were detected in "papa lisa” from Cochabamba (Bolivia), whereas representatives of the genus Pratylenchus were extracted from “oca colorada” from the same locality. Producers of different communities in the Andean region usually exchange tubers to be used as seeds. This practice contributes to dispersal of nematodes that are harmful to the crops mentioned above, as well as to many other crops. Hence, it is very important to inform the producer correctly on the existence of the problem and to provide them with management alternatives.