Distribution and Population Density of Cereal Cyst Nematode in Ardabil Province

Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN), Heterodera species, are important parasitic nematodes of cereal. Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera species, are also serious pests of potato world-wide. Continuous monitoring of these nematodes is necessary to prevent their damage to their host plants. This study was conducted to determine the distribution and density of these nematodes in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran, where potatoes are planted in rotation with cereals.

One hundred and two soil samples were collected from potato fields in the suburbs of Ardebil, Nair and Namin cities in the first year, and 116 soil samples were collected from the wheat fields that were cultivated in the rotation with potato in the second year. The samples were transferred to the laboratory and examined for cyst nematodes. After isolating the cysts, identification of the species was performed based on morphological and morphometrical characteristics of the cysts and the second stage larvae.

Examination of the collected samples in both of two years indicated the presence of CCN in some soil samples, but PCN were not observed in none of the soil samples. The morphological and morphometrical data of isolated cereal cysts and comparison with valid identification keys led to the identification of Heterodera filipjevi. Mean numbers of the cysts with eggs and larvae in those samples that were collected in the first and second year were respectively 0.76 and 0.11 in 100 g of the soil. Wheat fields of Ardebil had the highest and fields of Nair had the least number of cyst nematode.  

The results of this study showed that some of the wheat fields in the province were infected with H. filipjevi and potato fields were not infected with any cyst nematode.