Phytoparasitic Nematodes Associated With Floricultural and Ornamental Plants in Central Saudi Arabia

In a survey of phytonematodes associated with floricultural and ornamental plants in Riyadh region, central Saudi Arabia, 13 genera were found in the roots and rhizosphere soil samples of 23 plants. Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne sp. ( mainly M. javanica ) was found attacking 9 plants : Bougainvillea sp., Catharanthus roseus, Chinus molle, Cotoneaster sp., Dianthus caryphyllus , Dodonia viscosa, Gomphrena globosa, Rosa sp., and Verbana hybrida. Rotylenchulus sp. was found with high density in the rhizosphere soil samples of Chinus molle, followed by Ticoma stans, Caesalbinia albinosa and Dodonia viscosa. Pin nematodes, Paratylenchus sp. recorded the highest population density on Codiaeum sp., and caused severe damage to the infected plants. Some host records are being included for the first time in this extensive survey of phytonematodes associated with floricultural and ornamental plants in Saudi Arabia