The nematode Pratylenchus hippeastri has been recorded in Brazil.

Researchers have recorded the root-lesion nematode in Brazil for the first time. Pratylenchus hippeastri infecting apple and grape trees. Detection occurred in commercial orchards in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul after collecting roots and soil samples to investigate symptoms of reduced plant growth.

The samples came from apple trees (Malus domestica) cv. Gala in a commercial orchard in the municipality of Palmas. Also of grapevines (Vitis vinifera) cv. Viognier grafted onto Paulsen rootstock in Pinto Bandeira. In the vineyard, plants showed yellowing, leaf senescence, and root lesions.

Nematodes were extracted by centrifugal flotation from soil and roots. Examination revealed specimens of the genus Pratylenchus associated with both hosts.

Morphological identification was performed using adult females recovered from the samples. The individuals presented two labial annulations, lateral fields with four incisures, and a conical tail with a rounded apex. The morphometric measurements obtained in the apple and grape populations coincided with published descriptions for Pratylenchus hippeastri.

Confirmation was achieved through molecular analysis. Researchers sequenced the D2/D3 segments of the 28S rDNA and applied DNA barcoding. The sequences deposited in GenBank showed 100% identity with the xs01 isolate ofPratylenchus hippeastri Under BLAST analysis.

Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Brazilian populations with other sequences of the species with 100% bootstrap support, reinforcing the identification.

The discovery was made in the work of researchers Arlei Maceda, Mara S. Gustmann, Larissa B. Caixeta, Camilla M. Oliveira, Rosemeri T. Silva, Caroline W. Guterres, and Claudio MG Oliveira.