| Globodera rostochiensis | |
|---|---|
| Golden nematode cysts on potato roots | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Nematoda |
| Class: | Secernentea |
| Subclass: | Diplogasteria |
| Order: | Tylenchida |
| Superfamily: | Tylenchoidea |
| Family: | Heteroderidae |
| Subfamily: | Heteroderinae |
| Genus: | Globodera |
| Species: | G. rostochiensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Globodera rostochiensis |
|
Globodera rostochiensis, commonly known as the golden nematode, golden eelworm or yellow potato cyst nematode, is a plant pathogenic nematode. It is a pest of plants in the family Solanaceae, primarily infesting potatoes and tomatoes.
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The golden nematode negatively affects plants of the family Solanaceae by forming cysts on the roots of susceptible species. The cysts, which are composed of dead nematodes, are formed to protect the female's eggs and are typically yellow-brown in color.[1] The first symptoms of infestation are typically poor plant growth, chlorosis, and wilting. Heavy infestations can lead to reduced root systems, water stress, and nutrient deficiencies, while indirect effects of an infestation include premature senescence and increased susceptibility to fungal infections.[2]
Symptoms of golden nematode infestation are not unique, and thus identification of the pest is usually performed through testing of soil samples.[2]
The golden nematode, along with the pale cyst nematode, originated in the Andes Mountains of South America.[3] It was first discovered in Germany in 1913, although it is thought to have arrived in Europe with imported potatoes sometime during 19th century. It was first discovered in the United States in 1941, in Canada during the 1960s, and in Mexico during the 1970s.[1] It has also been found in various locations throughout Asia, Africa, and Australia.