Host suitability of pepper cultivars to (a)virulent root-knot nematodes isolates

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are polyphagous and cause yield losses to crops worldwide. Using the resistant plant is the most effective and environmental method to manage RKNs. Mi-1.2 gene in tomatoes is commonly used to control Meloidogyne. However, the Mi-1.2-virulent isolates can overcome this gene. In fields infested with Mi-1.2-virulent populations, plant species with different resistance genes are recommended instead of tomatoes. Therefore, investigating the host suitability of pepper cultivars to Mi-1.2-virulent RKNs is needed for management practices. This study was conducted in Akdeniz University Faculty of Agriculture Department of Plant Protection Nematology Laboratory in 2019. In this study, the response of resistant and susceptible pepper cultivars was investigated to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White,1919), Chitwood, 1949, Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949, Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal, 1889) Chitwood, 1949, Meloidogyne luci Carneiro et al., 2014 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae), Mi-1.2-virulent M. incognita and Mi-1.2-virulent M. javanica. Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and Mi-1.2-virulent M. incognita isolates multiplied very well on susceptible peppers but did not reproduce on resistant peppers. Mi-1.2-(a)virulent M. javanica isolates did not multiply on any pepper cultivars. Meloidogyne luci reproduced on all peppers tested. A pepper carrying N resistance gene was first tested with M. luci and did not confer resistance to M. luci. These results could be used to control RKNs in vegetable-growing areas.