Differential response of tomato accessions to Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood infection.

The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most dangerous and widespread species of nematodes affecting tomatoes. There are few methods for controlling nematodes in tomatoes. Natural resistance is important in conferring resistance against nematodes. A study was conducted to evaluate the reaction of tomato accessions to root-knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood. Twenty one tomato accessions were subjected for screening. Susceptible tomato variety Ideal was used as control. The tomato plants were evaluated 60 days after inoculation on the basis of the gall index (GI), egg mass index (EMI), final populations (Pf) and reproduction factors (Rf). All the tomato accessions show varying degree of response. Most of the screened accessions were susceptible to M. arenaria, six were resistant and two accessions showed hypersensitive reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]