Meloidogyne luci: an emerging threat to agriculture and challenges in diagnostics and sustainable management

The tropical root-knot nematode Meloidogyne luci is an obligate and highly polyphagous plant pathogen that infects root systems, inducing characteristic swellings (galls) which reduce both yield and crop quality in a wide range of agricultural plants, including vegetables, fruit crops, and ornamentals. The species was formally described in 2014 from populations collected in Brazil, Chile and Iran. Meloidogyne luci shares important morphological, biochemical, and molecular similarities with closely related species, making its accurate identification challenging. Since its description, the species has been reported in multiple European countries, raising concerns about its spread and establishment. Previously included in the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Alert List, M. luci was transferred to the EPPO A2 List in 2023 due to its potential agricultural impact within Europe. Accurate identification, based on a combination of morphological, biochemical, and molecular approaches, remains essential for reliable diagnosis and for supporting phytosanitary decision-making and management strategies. This overview summarizes current knowledge on the geographic distribution, host range, symptomatology, bio-ecology, diagnostic approaches, proposed control measures, and pest risk considerations for M. luci.