Genetic variation and identification of Meloidogyne graminis populations from golf fields in Antalya province of Turkiye

Root knot nematodes (RKNs), belonging to genus Meloidogyne, cause economically damage on turfgrasses areas worldwide. Many RKN species have been identified in studies conducted in golf courses around the world. However, no study has been carried out on RKNs in golf fields so far in Turkiye. In this study, root and soil samples were taken from different golf courses in Antalya which has the biggest golf areas of Turkiye. Meloidogyne graminis (Sledge & Golden, 1964) Whitehead, 1968 was identified in six of forty five samples by using species-specific primers. In addition, SRAP primers were used to investigate polymorphism among M. graminis populations and other RKN species. The number of average polymorphic fragments per primer was 10.18. The mean polymorphism information content and coph.corr (r) value is .88 and .88, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M. graminis populations grouped different distant to other trophic and temperate RKNs. This is the first report on presence of M. graminis in Turkiye.