Investigation of Population Dynamics of Meloidogyne incognita in Banana Greenhouses in Türkiye
Journal of Tekirdag Agricultural Faculty, cilt.23, sa.5, ss.1673-1681, 2026 (ESCI, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 23 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.33462/jotaf.1800344
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Tekirdag Agricultural Faculty
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1673-1681
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a globally distributed pest responsible for substantial yield losses in a wide range of crops. Under greenhouse conditions, nematodes remain active throughout the year, which can intensify the severity of damage. Consequently, monitoring nematode population densities and seasonal fluctuations in greenhouses is essential for the development of effective integrated management strategies. The present study aimed to monitor the monthly population dynamics of root-knot nematodes between 2021 and 2023 in two newly established banana greenhouses in the Kazanlı region of Mersin Province in Türkiye. Soil analyses revealed that among the important plant-parasitic nematodes, only M. incognita was detected. In the greenhouse 1, M. incognita populations reached their highest level (1190 J2/100 g soil) in February–March during both the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 growing periods, followed by a decline in April–May. While marked fluctuations were recorded in the first year, more stable dynamics with lower peaks were observed in the second year. In the greenhouse 2, the population reached its maximum level (1530 J2/100 g soil) during February–March, and remained high in July–August with 820 and 1380 J2/100 g soil, respectively. Overall, populations in the greenhouse 2 were consistently higher and more persistent throughout the 2022–2023 season. In both greenhouses, nematode populations generally peaked in February–March, declined in early summer, and remained relatively low during the winter (December–January). Furthermore, population density in the greenhouse 2 was higher in the second year compared to the first, whereas the opposite trend was observed in the greenhouse 1. These findings highlight that the February–March period represents a critical window for implementing control measures. Preventive treatments initiated in late January to early February, at the onset of population increases, may enhance the effectiveness of nematode management strategies.