Characterization of two races of the stem and bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) in Israel

Two distinct races ofDitylenchus dipsaci in Israel were identified: one, which infects and damages onion and garlic, reproduces on pea, but does not infect phalaris grass; and a second, which infects and damages phalaris—and, probably, also ‘Saia’ oats—but fails to infect onion and garlic. A new ‘garlic’ race of the nematode does not appear to have been introduced into Israel together with the ‘Lavinia’ garlic cultivar, as previously speculated, but rather the introduced Lavinia clone is highly susceptible to the existing ‘onion and garlic’ race ofD. dipsaci.