Distribution and occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with raspberry (Rubus idaeus) in Souss-Massa region of Morocco: relationship with soil physico-chemical factors

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) polytunnels in Morocco's Souss-Massa region were surveyed between February and April 2018. The study was aimed to investigate the diversity and incidence of plant-parasitic nematodes affecting raspberry crop and to assess the effects of soil physico-chemical properties on the nematodes. Twelve nematode genera were identified form the soil and root samples collected from 41 raspberry polytunnels across the three provinces (Belfaa, Biougra and Khmis Ait Aimra). The most common plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) were Pratylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp. and Helicotylenchus spp. In terms of their abundance and frequency, four PPN (Pratylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Helicotylenchus spp. and Tylenchus spp.) were abundant and frequent throughout the region. Several genera of nematodes were significantly associated with soil texture, organic matter and pH, which indicate that soil properties play an important role in PPN communities. This description of PPN assemblages associated with red raspberry polytunnels in Souss-Massa region provides a starting point from which further studies will be implemented for the other regions of Morocco cultivating raspberries, and to develop efficient management strategies.