Biofortified mini lettuce advanced lines with resistance to root-knot nematode

Abstract

Biofortified mini lettuce resistant to root-knot nematode with high agronomic potential is not yet a reality in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic potential of lines of biofortified mini lettuces combined with resistance to M. javanica. Therefore, two experiments were performed: 1 - agronomic performance in the field; 2- resistance to M. javanica in the greenhouse. The experiments were arranged in a randomized block design (experiment 1) and in a completely randomized design (experiment 2), with ten treatments (six advanced lines and four commercial cultivars) and eight replications, conducted at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). The following parameters were evaluated in experiment 1: total chlorophyll content; plant and stem diameter; and number of leaves plant-1. In experiment 2: gall index; number of galls and eggs root-1; reproduction factor. The evaluated genotypes which presented agronomic potential were generally not resistant to M. javanica, except UFU- 66#6, an advanced lineage which is innovative in the segment of biofortified mini lettuce, combining agronomic potential and resistance to M. javanica.