The main parasitic nematodes on agricultural crops in Albania and their control1

From studies carried out on soil and root samples from the different agricultural crops in Albania, the following nematode genera have been detected: Meloidogyne, Ditylenchus, Tylenchulus, Globodera, Heterodera, Xiphinema, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Paratylenchus, Longidorus and Rotylenchus. The commonest species of nematodes are: M. incognita, X. pachtaicum, D. dipsaci, D. destructor, T. semipenetrans, G. rostochiensis, H. schachtii and P. penetrans. Trials on chemical control of root-knot nematodes on tomato have indicated that methyl bromide (500 kg ha^-1) and dichloropropane/dichloropropene are still the best chemicals. Certification of garlic crops, with selection of bulbs before and after sowing, has increased garlic yields to 5–10t ha^-1. Chemical methods to control D. dipsaci are not usually economical.