JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY, cilt.57, sa.1, ss.1-13, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Plant-parasitic nematodes are responsible for substantial yield losses in banana-growing regions worldwide. In Türkiye, banana is traditionally grown in limited open-field areas, but greenhouse cultivation has rapidly expanded in recent years. However, information on nematodes associated with greenhouse bananas is extremely limited. This study aimed to determine the occurrence, races, and population densities of economically important nematodes in banana greenhouses. Surveys conducted between 2021–2022 in both new and old banana-producing regions revealed the presence of Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita in greenhouses in Mersin. R. reniformis was identified as race 2, while M. incognita was race 1. The population density of M. incognita increased when soil temperature rose above 10 °C, and R. reniformis densities increased above 20 °C. M. incognita was dominant during 2021–2022; however, its population was significantly suppressed by R. reniformis in 2022–2023.