Molecular and morphological exploration of a mixed population of two potato-parasiting nematode species, Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida

In this work, we report results of molecular and morphological analyses of a potato field population of Globodera (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) species, in Slovakia. Unexpectedly, our data show a mixed occurrence of two potato cyst nematode species, Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida, in this locality. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mixed occurrence of these economically important plant-parasitic species in the same locality in the Central Europe. In addition, this finding reinforces the possibility of the cross-hybridization between these two nematode species that might result in a generation of new genotypes.