Response of Eight Tomato Cultivars to Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne. javanica, under Glasshouse Conditions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Former MSc. Student, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran

2 Associate Professor, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran

3 Assistant Professor,University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the response to root-knot nematode,
Meloidogyne. javanica of seven in glasshouse grown tomato cultivars, two from UK (GH1 &
GH12), two from Thailand (Ajeet & Karina), and three form India (Manisha, Tolstoi &
Cluster5) plus one local field grown variety from Kohgiluyeh va Boyer-Ahmad Province, in
the glasshouse conditions. The factorial experiment was performed using two experimental
factors of tomato cultivar and nematode inoculation, in a randomized complete block design of
5 replications. Each and every pot was filled with pasturised soil,with the tomato seedlings at
their six-leaf stage, inoculated with 2000 second stage larvae of M. javanica. Plant growth and
nematode reproductive factors were assessed 8 weeks after treatment. The tested tomato
cultivars exhibited different levels of susceptibility to the nematode. Thecultivars GH12, Ajeet,
Manisha and Karina proved to be significantly different from the other ones. Their gall index
was recorded 2, so they can be considered as relatively resistant cultivars. Other cultivars, gall
index of 4 proved them susceptible to M. javanica. Throughout the study, the local variety was
shown to be the most susceptible reducing plant growth and supporting of the nematode
population density.

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