Occurrence of Xiphinema species in grapevine areas of Tyrnavos with comments on the distribution of X. italiae in Greece

A survey for presence of Xiphinema species was undertaken in the viticulture areas of Tyrnavos, Thessally, Greece. Soil samples were collected from existing vineyards and from fields where grapevines had been uprooted and were currently under fallow or a cereal crop. The species X. index, X. italiae and X. pachtaicum were present in 37% of the samples with a prevalence of the last two species in uprooted fields. The occurrence of X. italiae in association with light sandy soils is discussed and compared with similar findings from other Greek grapevine areas.