Sensitivity of sixteen tomato cultivars to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under greenhouse conditions

Khalifa, A. E.; Anany, A. E.; Hussein, Mona A.; Al-Gendy, A. A. R.

doi:10.21608/aasj.2024.340771

Sensitivity of sixteen tomato cultivars to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under greenhouse conditions

Document Type : Research article

Authors

¹ Agricultural Zoology and Nematology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

² Pests and Plant Protection Department, Agricultural & Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo Egypt

10.21608/aasj.2024.340771

Abstract

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. a globally cultivated vegetable crop, faces significant challenges from the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne sp., causing detrimental impacts on crop yield and quality. Sixteen tomato cultivars were screened for their reactions to the root-knot nematode, M. incognita to evaluate the ability of nematodes to reproduce and influence vegetative growth under greenhouse conditions. Results indicated that, on all of examined cultivars were categorized into four levels of susceptibility: moderately resistant (cvs. VFNT, 010, 350, 013, 023 and 023 Modified) with a number of galls between 6 and 20; lightly susceptible (cvs. Edkawy and Floradade); moderately susceptible (cvs. 380, Caieer, Peto86, Super mar mand and Castle Rock) with a number of galls between 119 and 185 galls /plant. While highly susceptible Super Strain B,136 and 186 with a number of galls between 161 and 332 galls /plant. These results highlight the potential of using resistant cultivars as a sustainable nematode management strategy. Planting cultivars like VFNT, 010, 013, 023and 023 Modified could significantly reduce nematode populations and gall formation, leading to improved crop health and minimized yield losses.

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