Field performance of tomato varieties resistant to root-knot nematodes

Abstract

The performance of 15 potentially useful nematode-resistant tomato varieties (Ace Hy, Better Boy, Bigset, Bonus, Calmart, Magnifico, Monte Carlo, Patriot, Red Supreme, Rich Reward, Surprise, Terrific, VFN Bush, VFN 8 and Vine Ripe) was assessed in field trials at Loveday and Loxton, South Australia. All varieties showed some nematode resistance when grown in sites heavily infested with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) and most produced yields which were not significantly less than the commonly used susceptible varieties (Burnley Gem, Floradade, Grosse Lisse and Q3) grown in soil treated with nematicides. However, the nematode-resistant varieties were of limited value commercially because the fruit was either susceptible to cracking or too soft to be transported long distances. In glasshouse tests, biotypes of root-knot nematode capable of attacking resistant varieties were not observed. All resistant varieties exhibited resistance against populations of M. javanica from grape, peach, sweet corn, tomato (variety Floradade), tomato (variety VFN Bush), and against field populations of Meloidogyne from both resistant and susceptible tomato varieties. These results suggest that agronomically acceptable nematode-resistant varieties would be useful in management programs to control root-knot nematodes in the Murray Valley.