Spesies Meloidogyne Penyebab Puru Akar pada Seledri di Pacet, Cianjur, Jawa Barat

Root knot nematodes (RKN) Meloidogyne spp. is the primary parasite of celery and reported to cause losses up to 70%. Identification of the Meloidogyne species on celery in Indonesia has not been reported. This study was aimed to identify the species of Meloidogyne on celery based on morphology characters. Samples of Meloidogyne-infected celery plants were taken using purposive sampling method from Ciputri Village, District of Pacet, Cianjur, West Java Province. RKN inside root tissue was detected by acid fuchsin staining method. Meloidogyne species identification was done by morphological observation of female perineal pattern. Disease symptoms found in the field include leaf yellowing, stunted, and uneven growth of celery plants. Roots of infected plants showed the formation of small size root knots, in large numbers and forming strands like a chain. Staining NPA in root tissue was successfully detected various stages of nematode development, i.e. eggs, juveniles and female nematodes. Three Meloidogyne species, namely M. incognita, M. arenaria and M. javanica were identified.