AMZ-Cereal cyst nematodes Heterodera spp in Algeria during 2015-2016

Cereal cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp., CCN) are the most damaging plant-parasitic nematode species on wheat, causing severe economic loss in global wheat production. In summer 2015, we analyzed samples collected from 22 wheat fields in Algeria using the Fenwick can technique. The study revealed that 54.55 % of wheat fields were infested with cereal cyst nematodes. The species was observed in several locations in the northern part of Algeria but not in the southern desert area. Population densities of CCNs in soil varied between the regions at an infestation rate of between 0.6±0.54 and 86.6±19.96 cysts per 500 gram (g) of dried soil. Furthermore, we found an average of 56.33±15.18 and 364.70±81.93 second-stage juveniles and eggs per cyst. The infestation was most severe in cereal fields in Draa Semar and Djendel with 86.6±19.96 cyst/500g of soil and 57.4±17.55 cysts/500g of soil, respectively. Infestation was lowest in fields in Ras Elouad, Sidi Mbarek and Sedraia with 0.6±0.54 cysts/500g of soil; 1.6±1.67 cysts/500g of soil and 2.4±1.67 cysts/500g of soil, respectively. Heterodera spp. was distributed throughout the cereal growing province in Algeria and could cause economic loss in these regions.