The Genus Pratylenchus (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae) in Israel: From Taxonomy to Control Practices

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This is a well prepared manuscript presenting new and significant information on "The genus Pratylenchus (Nematoda) in Israel – from taxonomy to control practices" worthy of publication. This review focuses on the occurrence, distribution, diagnosis, pathogenicity and phylogeny of all Pratylenchus species recorded over the last few decades on different crops grown throughout Israel—covering early information from nematologists to recent reports involving the use of molecular phylogenetic methodologies. This study explore the accepted distinction between P. thornei and P. mediterraneus isolated from Israel's northern Negev region, and address the confusion concerning the findings related to these Pratylenchus species. The results of recent sampling from the northern Negev revealed the occurrence of both P. thornei and P. mediterraneus based on molecular identification, indicating P. mediterraneus as a sister species of P. thornei and their potential occurrence in a mixed infection. In addition, the efficiencies of common control measures taken to reduce Pratylenchus' devastating damage in protected crops and field crops are discussed. This study has given excellent information in Table 1 on "Percentage occurrence of PPN genera from the rhizosphere of plant groups (genera occurring in 20% or more of samples) covering natural vegetation and cultivated crops in Israel". In addition, excellent details are given in Table 2 on " Recent identification of plant-parasitic nematodes in several cultivated crops in Israel, recorded during 2018 to 2019, according to ITS. Besides several other studies on various lesion and other species are discussed in great detail in this review article covering 8 different topics with an excellent conclusion. The work is scientifically sound with adequate references of the previous work cited and included. The manuscript is highly recommended for publication in "Plants".   

  

Author Response

We would like to thanks reviewer 1 for making the review and give his positive recommendation. Reviewer 1 didn't place any comments but only emphasize the importance of this review. 

Reviewer 2 Report

This manuscript provides and overview of the occurrence, distribution, diversity, taxonomy, pathogenicity, phylogeny and management practices of the nine species of Pratylenchus that have been reported in Israel. The review provides a significant contribution to the field by collating all available information on Pratylenchus species in Israel and identifies priority areas for future research efforts.

The manuscript is generally well written. Some minor corrections are indicated in the attached document.

The title should be include (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae). 

Section 3 The first paragraph listing the specific species of Pratylenchus reported in Israel would be better places at the start of Section 4 (Taxonomy and diversity of Pratylenchus species in Israel), as section 4 starts by stating that there are nine species of Pratylenchus reported in the country. Section 3 is then an overview of the prevalence of the genus Pratylenchus on different plant groups in respect to other parasitic nematodes and section 4 deals with the specific species.

Increasing the font size of the text in Figure 1 would increase readability.

Including the matrix code for each species of Pratylenchus is non-informative for general readers. Readers must refer to the cited reference [23] to obtain meaning of the code. Consider either removing the matrix code descriptions or include the matrix key as supplementary material to accompany the paper.

Section 4.1 On what crops was P. mediterraneus found in Israel?

In sections 4.2, 4.9, 5, Referencing of personal communications should be according to journal guidelines:
Author 1, A.B. (University, City, State, Country); Author 2, C. (Institute, City, State, Country). Personal communication, Year.

Consider adding the number of samples in which each of the nematode species were identified.

Page 9, start of the 3rd paragraph. The sentence is incomplete.

Consider dividing section 7 into several subheadings, such as soil-fumigants, biological control, cultural control, instead of only one subheading 7.1 Resistance to root-lesion nematodes.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx