Morpho-molecular characterization of Ditylenchus gigas and D. oncogenus parasitizing broad bean, Vicia faba, in Algeria

A nematode survey conducted in 2013 in Algeria, revealed the presence of a normal and giant races of D. dipsaci species complex on broad bean, Vicia faba L. In Algeria, the stem and bulb nematode causes severe economic damage; however, no studies have been conducted for accurate identification of the species and races of nematode infecting faba bean fields, which make management strategies, quarantine measures and phytosanitary actions less efficient. The present study describes the morphological and molecular analyses of two stem nematode populations from Biskra and Guelma regions in Algeria. The results revealed the presence of D. gigas and D. oncogenus in Algeria. The latest one is identified for the first time on Vicia faba as new host plant. The morphology of both populations is similar to other D. gigas and D. oncogenus populations from southern Italy. Molecular phylogeny by using the ITS-5.8S-ITS2 region clearly supported the presence of D. gigas and D. oncogenus in Algeria.