Detection and molecular characterization of Tylenchulus semipenetrans infecting persian lime in Mexico

In May 2018, symptoms of reduced growth and yellowing of Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) trees were detected in a commercial orchard located in Cotaxtla, Veracruz, Mexico. Nematodes were obtained from symptomatic trees and characterized through morphology and phylogeny, as well as pathogenicity tests. The results confirmed that Tylenchulus semipenetrans is the causal agent of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of T. semipenetrans causing slow decline of Persian lime in Veracruz, Mexico.