enterolobii

Meloidogyne enterolobii is a species of plant-parasitic nematode in the genus Meloidogyne, commonly referred to as a root-knot nematode. It infects a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops by invading roots and inducing gall formation, which disrupts water and nutrient uptake and can lead to stunting and yield losses.

Diagnosis of M. enterolobii relies on a combination of root symptoms, such as conspicuous root galls, and laboratory methods. Traditional identification uses morphological characteristics of the nematode, particularly the perineal pattern, while molecular assays and species-specific primers are increasingly used for accurate confirmation due to similarity with other Meloidogyne species. The nematode has a sedentary endoparasitic lifestyle, with eggs enclosed in a gelatinous matrix; the infective juvenile migrates to plant roots, establishes feeding sites, and reproduces.

The host range of M. enterolobii is broad and includes major crops such as tomato, pepper, cucumber, melon, banana and plantain, guava, and various other fruits and ornamentals. It is notable for its virulence on cultivars that carry resistance genes effective against other root-knot nematodes, such as Mi-1 in tomato, which complicates resistance-based management. This capability has contributed to its status as a significant concern in affected regions.

Geographically, M. enterolobii is detected in multiple tropical and subtropical regions across different continents, where it is thought to spread via contaminated soil, plant material, and movement of infested equipment. Management relies on an integrated approach, including quarantine and sanitation, use of certified nematode-free planting material, crop rotation with non-hosts, soil solarization, and, where appropriate, nematicides or biological controls. Resistance-based strategies should be used cautiously, given the nematode’s tendency to overcome some sources of resistance.