Pakistan Journal of Nematology, 2014, Vol. 32(2): 163-172 163 Distribution of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp., in tomato greenhouses at Lattakia and Tartus Province in Syria F. Toumi †*,** , L. Waeyenberge * , R. Yousef *** , H. Khalil **** , K. Al-Assas *** and M. Moens *,** * Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium ** Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium *** Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria **** Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria † Corresponding author email: fateh.toumi@ilvo.vlaanderen.be Abstract A survey of 35 tomato greenhouses from Syrian provinces Tartus and Lattakia revealed the presence of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. In Lattakia province, M. javanica was the dominant species (91%) and M. incognita found only once (9%). In Tartus province, M. incognita was the most prevalent species particularly in the southern parts (76%) and M. javanica occurred in several locations (24%) in northern Tartus. The majority of the sampled tomato cultivars were infected with two Meloidogyne species; once both species were detected on the same variety. Keywords: Distribution, Meloidogyne spp., tomato greenhouses, Tartus, Lattakia, Syria Vegetables are between the most important components of the daily diet all over the world and high economic value for both small and large growers (Sikora & Fernández, 2005). Within the vegetables, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) occupy a very important position in terms of distribution and production. In Syria, the total area and production of tomato greenhouses and open field reaches 13.919 ha with a total production of 633,483 tons (Anonymous, 2010). Tomato crops can suffer from abiotic stress such as drought and salinity as well as from biotic stress caused by fungi, bacteria and nematodes (Sasser et al., 1980). Root-knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp., are major pathogens of tomatoes in fields and greenhouses worldwide (Anwar et al., 1991; Jones et al., 1991; Fourie & McDonald, 2000). RKN infected tomato plants showed yellow leaves and stunting growth. Moderate infections can cause 20-33% yield loss (Sasser, 1989; Sikora & Fernandez, 2005), while under severe infection the yield loss can rise up to 85% (Sasser, 1979; Taylor & Sasser, 1978). At the end of 2012, nearly 100 nominal species of root-knot nematodes had been described (Karssen et al., 2013). Much attention is given to the so- called four major species, viz. M. arenaria Chitwood, M. incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood and M. hapla (Neal) Chitwood (Sasser, 1980; Moens et al., 2009). Meloidogyne hapla is distributed in temperate regions, while the other three species are common in tropical and subtropical ones but also in greenhouses independently of the climate (Sasser, 1980). The annual losses caused by these species are estimated at about $10 billion (Chitwood, 2003). In Syria, only RKN-species were reported in association with vegetables (mainly tomato and cucumber), flower crops like carnation, cotton, sugar beet and tobacco (Mamluk & Faust, 1975; Tayar, 1980; Lamberti, 1984). The presence of M. hapla has never been demonstrated. The widespread recognition of the four species has probably led to many cases of