C. Ornat

A population of Meloidogyne javanica in spain virulent to the Mi resistance gene in tomato

A population of Meloidogyne javanica virulent to Mi-gene in tomato was identified in Spain. It reproduced similarly on resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars in the greenhouse, microplots, and in the field. In monoxenic cultures, reproduction of the virulent M. javanica was higher than that of an avirulent population on resistant but not on susceptible tomatoes. The virulent population suppressed tomato yield of both resistant and susceptible tomatoes by 29% in microplots. Initial population density (Pi) was inversely correlated with Pf (final population density)/Pi on both resistant and susceptible tomatoes in the field. A negative correlation was found between Pi and tomato yield for the susceptible but not for the resistant cultivar.

Effectiveness and profitability of the Mi-resistant tomatoes to control root-knot nematodes

Experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness and profitability of the Mi-resistance gene in tomato in suppressing populations of Meloidogyne javanica in a plastic-house with a natural infestation of the nematode. Experiments were also conducted to test for virulence and durability of the resistance. Monika (Mi-gene resistant) and Durinta (susceptible) tomato cultivars were cropped for three consecutive seasons in non-fumigated or in soil fumigated with methyl bromide at 75 g m−2 and at a cost of 2.44 euros m−2. Nematode densities were determined at the beginning and end of each crop. Yield was assessed in eight plants per plot weekly for 6 weeks. The Pf/Pi values were 0.28 and 21.6 after three crops of resistant or susceptible cultivars, respectively. Growth of resistant as opposed to susceptible tomato cultivars in non-fumigated soil increased profits by 30,000 euros ha−1. The resistant Monika in non-fumigated soil yielded similarly (P > 0.05) to the susceptible Durinta in methyl bromide fumigated soil but the resistant tomato provided a benefit of 8800 euros ha−1 over the susceptible one because of the cost of fumigation. Selection for virulence did not occur, although the nematode population subjected to the resistant cultivar for three consecutive seasons produced four times more eggs than the population on the susceptible one. Such a difference was also shown when the resistant cultivar was subjected to high continuous inoculum pressure for 14 weeks. The Mi-resistance gene can be an effective and economic alternative to methyl bromide in plastic-houses infested with root-knot nematodes, but should be used in an integrated management context to preserve its durability and prevent the selection of virulent populations due to variability in isolate reproduction and environmental conditions.

Evaluation of a Native and Introduced Isolate of Pochonia chlamydosporia against Meloidogyne javanica

Growth chamber and plastic tunnel experiments were conducted to compare the ability of a native and introduced isolate of Pochonia chlamydosporia to colonize the rhizosphere of selected plant species and survive in soil. Effects of the isolates on population density of Meloidogyne javanica and yield of tomato after single or multiple fungal applications were also determined. In growth chamber experiments, both isolates showed a similar ability to colonise the rhizosphere of selected vegetables, except for the introduced isolate, which produced more colony forming units cm−2 of root surface on tomato and cabbage than the native one. In the tunnel house, both isolates parasitized eggs of M. javanica, and the native but not the introduced isolate increased parasitism after multiple applications. The native isolate was recovered more frequently from soil, and was a better colonizer of tomato roots than the introduced one irrespective of the number of fungal applications. Multiple fungal applications of either isolate reduced the nematode gall rating, and the native isolate also reduced the final egg population in roots. Neither isolates reduced final nematode densities in soil or affected tomato yield when compared to untreated plots.

Response of tomato rootstocks carrying the Mi-resistance gene to populations of Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica

The response of four Mi-resistance gene tomato rootstocks to seven populations of Meloidogyne was determined in pot tests conducted in a glasshouse. Rootstocks PG76 (Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum sp.) and Brigeor (S. lycopersicum × S. habrochaites) and resistant cv. Monika (S. lycopersicum) were assessed against one population of M. arenaria, three of M. incognita, and three of M. javanica. Rootstocks Beaufort and Maxifort were assessed against one population of M. arenaria, two of M. incognita and two of M. javanica. Rootstock PG76 was highly resistant (reproduction index <10%) to all the populations, whereas rootstock Brigeor and cv. Monika were highly to moderate resistant. Rootstocks Beaufort and Maxifort showed reduced resistance or inability to suppress nematode reproduction, and their responses varied according to the population tested. Beaufort and Maxifort were susceptible to the two populations of M. javanica as Maxifort was to one of M. incognita. The reproduction index of the nematode was higher (P < 0.05) on Maxifort than Beaufort for all root-knot nematode populations.

Population Densities of Tylenchulus semipenetrans Related to Physicochemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Clementine Mandarin in Spain

A survey was conducted from April to June 2002 in 62 orchards of clementine mandarin grafted on Troyer or Carrizo citrange rootstock in Catalonia (northeastern Spain) to determine the relationship between physicochemical soil properties and Tylenchulus semipenetrans population densities. Soil was analyzed to determine texture, pH, electric conductivity, organic matter content, N, P, K, Mg, calcium carbonate, and calcium oxide. Also, trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 in three drip-irrigated orchards of clementine mandarin cv. Clemenules (El Pla and Mariclaire) or cv. Hernandina (Martorella) to determine the relationship between citrus nematode densities and yield of mandarin. T. semipenetrans was detected in 77% of the surveyed orchards. The number of second-stage juveniles + males in soil was related to N and K soil content (3.57953 - 0.001305 N + 0.00113 K, R2 = 0.1620, P < 0.0157). The relationship between relative yield of clementine mandarin cv. Clemenules and densities of females per gram of root in spring was described by the Seinhorst damage function model (0.035 + 0.965 (0.9995)(Pi - 287), R2 = 0.4782, P < 0.0001).

New citrus selections from Cleopatra mandarin × Poncirus trifoliata with resistance to Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb

The response of four resistant selections of Cleopatra mandarin × Poncirus trifoliata to increasing inoculum densities of a population of the Mediterranean biotype of Tylenchulus semipenetrans was determined in microplots established at two sites. One-yearold trees of the resistant selections and of a susceptible Carrizo citrange were inoculated with 0, 1, 5 or 10 × 104 eggs per plant (Pi). Nematode reproduction on the resistant selections was consistently less than on Carrizo citrange. Increasing initial inoculum densities had no effect on the relative resistance in three selections (03.01.42, 03.01.5 and 03.01.16). Selection 03.01.42 was highly resistant (no females and eggs per g fresh root), and 03.01.5 and 03.01.16 both had good resistance (≤15% as many females and eggs per g fresh root as on Carrizo citrange). The fourth selection (03.01.18) expressed resistance at Pi 1 and 5 × 104 eggs per plant but was moderately susceptible at 10× 104 eggs per plant (>15% females and eggs per g fresh root). Deposits of a lignin or suberin-like material were more abundant in resistant selections 03.01.5 and 03.01.18 than in susceptible Carrizo citrange. The proportional increase in trunk diameter of inoculated and uninoculated trees of each rootstock was similar at both sites.

Population Densities ofTylenchulus semipenetransRelated to Physicochemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Clementine Mandarin in Spain

A survey was conducted from April to June 2002 in 62 orchards of clementine mandarin grafted on Troyer or Carrizo citrange rootstock in Catalonia (northeastern Spain) to determine the relationship between physicochemical soil properties and Tylenchulus semipenetrans population densities. Soil was analyzed to determine texture, pH, electric conductivity, organic matter content, N, P, K, Mg, calcium carbonate, and calcium oxide. Also, trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 in three drip-irrigated orchards of clementine mandarin cv. Clemenules (El Pla and Mariclaire) or cv. Hernandina (Martorella) to determine the relationship between citrus nematode densities and yield of mandarin. T. semipenetrans was detected in 77% of the surveyed orchards. The number of second-stage juveniles + males in soil was related to N and K soil content (3.57953 - 0.001305 N + 0.00113 K, R2 = 0.1620, P < 0.0157). The relationship between relative yield of clementine mandarin cv. Clemenules and densities of females per gram of root in spring was described by the Seinhorst damage function model (0.035 + 0.965 (0.9995)(Pi - 287), R2 = 0.4782, P < 0.0001).