Evaluation of Host Plant Resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in Banana Hybrids

Abstract

The reaction of twenty four new synthetic banana hybrids were selected and evaluated for resistance to M. incognita under artificially inoculated pot conditions. Known susceptible (Grand Naine) and resistant (Yankambi KM5) banana varieties were included as reference cultivars. Responses of banana hybrids to M. incognita infection was assessed by the nematodes population in roots, number of galled roots, percentage of galled roots and root gall index on a scale of 1-5, where 0 = 0 galls and 5≥100 galls. The result showed that seven banana hybrids, H 904, H 911, H 921, H 924, H 926, H 943 and H 952 were found to be tolerance to M. incognita and the remaining were rated as moderate susceptible and susceptible. The total phenols, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase chemical and enzyme contains in roots were higher in tolerance genotypes viz-a-vis susceptible ones.