Prevalence and Threshold Levels of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Turfgrass on Korean Golf Courses

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are an important constraint in turfgrass production. This study was conducted to survey the species and densities of PPNs on Korean golf courses and to identify those exceeding threshold damage levels that require management. Seventeen species of PPNs belonging to seven families and 11 genera were identified. Mesocriconema nebraskense was the most prevalent, followed by Helicotylenchus microlobus, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, and Paralongidorus koreanensis. Overall, the detection rate of nematodes exceeding the damage threshold was highest for P. koreanensis. However, this varied by turfgrass species: T. claytoni was highest on bentgrass, P. koreanensis on zoysiagrass, and H. microlobus on Kentucky bluegrass. Therefore, it is necessary to implement control strategies based on accurate identification and density of damaging nematodes, tailored to specific turfgrass species.