Current status of genera and species of phytoparasitic nematodes in egypt

In Egypt, phytoparasitic nematodes have been recognized as important plant pests and major constraints to agricultural production especially in sandy and coarse soils. A review of the historical nematode records indicate the occurrence of about 60 genera and 170 species of phytoparasitic nematodes found on crop plants, grasses, and weeds. Some of these nematode species such as Heterodera goldeni were described from Egypt, while others such as H. rosii, Globodera rostochiensis, and Xiphinema rivesi were recorded for the first time in Egypt and other African countries. Important phytoparasitic nematodes found in Egypt include species of Tylenchulus, Globodera, Heterodera, Xiphinema, Hoplolaimus, Criconemella, Mesocriconema, Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne, Helicotylenchus, and Tylenchorhynchus. Among these, Tylenchulus, Heteroderidae, Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne, and Helicotylenchus were the most frequently encountered nematode genera in Egypt.