Identification of <i>Meloidogyne</i> spp. from cool‐season golf course putting greens in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are important pests affecting golf course putting green health, playability, and management. Recently, they have become a concern for golf course superintendents managing cool‐season grasses in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) as reports of damage attributable to PPN activity have increased. Minimal information is available on the species identity and PPN distribution across the region. In November of 2023, soil samples were collected from 264 golf course putting greens in Washington, Oregon, and California for PPN extraction and identification. Meloidogyne spp. (root‐knot nematode) was one of the most encountered PPN, occurring in 89% of samples, with maximum PPN densities exceeding 10,000 second stage juveniles 100 cc −1 . In OR and CA samples Meloidogyne minor and Meloidogyne naasi was documented, while only M. naasi was documented in WA. These findings will help inform future efforts into the development of regional damage thresholds, and into appropriate management strategies for PNW cool‐season golf courses.