Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Strawberry and Molecular Identification of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus Species in the Central Region of Costa Rica

Strawberries are primarily cultivated in the Central Region of Costa Rica due to the favorable growing conditions there. However, several factors can affect the final yield and quality of strawberries, including the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN). Unfortunately, no surveys have been conducted in the country to identify the PPN affecting production. This study aimed to identify morphologically PPN genera associated with strawberry in the Central Region of Costa Rica, and to identify the Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus species using molecular techniques. A nematode survey was performed between 2018 and 2021 across four provinces: Cartago, Alajuela, Heredia, and San José. The most frequent nematodes found in both root samples (n = 55) and soil samples (n = 53) were Meloidogyne (Frequency of occurrence, FO = 78% in root and 62% in soil) and Pratylenchus (FO = 56% and 43%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Molecular techniques with species-specific primers, such as PCR-RFLP and PCR, allowed for the identification of 13 Meloidogyne populations, all confirmed to be M. hapla. DNA sequencing of the partial mitochondrial COI gene and PCR with species-specific primers found 11 Pratylenchus populations, with 10 identified as P. penetrans and one as P. hippeastri. Further studies should focus on pathogenicity assays with a diversity of strawberry cultivars to assess damage potential and develop strategies for integrated management of PPN in strawberry production.