Abstract
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), a popular ornamental tree in the southern United States, was observed with severe root galls in a commercial nursery in central Alabama. Soil samples yielded high populations of root-knot nematode juveniles (104–277 J2/100 cm3). Morphology and morphometrics were consistent with Meloidogyne spp., but species-specific PCR for M. incognita, M. arenaria, M. javanica, and M. hapla were all negative. Sequencing of 18S, 28S rDNA, and mitochondrial COII-16S rRNA regions showed >99.5% identity to M. enterolobii. Two M. enterolobii-specific primers confirmed the diagnosis. A clonal population was maintained on tomatoes and used in a host range and pathogenicity assay. High reproduction (reproduction factor ≥8.6) occurred on pepper, sweet potato, tomato, and watermelon, while limited reproduction was found on peanut, corn, and one cotton cultivar. This is the first report of M. enterolobii infecting a commercial plant in Alabama. Due to its aggressive nature, wide host range, and ability to overcome resistance, there is an urgent need for monitoring and management strategies against this species.