Plant-parasitic nematodes associated with turfgrass in golf courses in southern Ontario

One hundred thirty-five soil samples, collected from 15 golfcourses throughout southern Ontario in 1995, 1997, and 1998 were analysed for the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes. Criconemoides spp., Helicotylenchus spp., Heterodera spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Paratylenchus spp., Pratylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., and Xiphinema spp. were recorded. The ring nematodes, Criconemoides spp., and the pin nematodes, Paratylenchus spp., were present in all 15 golf courses. The lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp., and the spiral nematodes, Helicotylenchus spp., were present in 14 courses. The lance nematodes, Hoplolaimus spp., were present in 13 courses. The stunt nematodes, Tylenchorhynchus spp., were present in 12 golf courses. Four species of the lesion nematode were recorded: Pratylenchus crenatus, P. neglectus, P. fallax, and P. thornei. This is the first report of P. fallax in Ontario, and the first detection of P. thornei on turf in the province.