Nematode problems of the Mediterranean coastal stripe in the Syrian Arab Republic

A preliminary survey plant parasitic nematodes was carried out in the period December 1981 -January 1983 on the Mediterranean coastal stripe in the Syrian Arab Republic. The results indicate that most nematode pests present in the Mediterranean Region are also widely spread in Syria. Species of the genera Ditylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Tylenchulus and Xiphinema were found on the root or in soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of various crops. In control trials of the root-knot nematodes methyl bromide, at the rates of 50 to 60 g/m2, gave satisfactory control of nematodes and economic yeld increase of cucumbers. Application of fumigant and non volatile nematicides, in plastic houses, planted with either cucumbers or tomatoes did not affect statistically growth and yields because of the uneven infesstations.