ARS | Publication request: RESPONSE OF GUARDIAN ROOTSTOCK TO ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE INFECTION

Submitted to: Georgia Fruit Newsletter
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The USDA-Byron and Clemson University are providing commercial nurseries with "bulk" seed of Guardian peach rootstock selections from seed orchards. One unanswered question about the commercially available Guardian seed is its host suitability toward rootknot nematodes. In 1995-96, tests were initiated to determine the susceptibility of Guardian rootstock to 2 rootknot nematode species, Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. Results indicate that for both rootknot nematodes, reproduction was less on both Guardian sources than on Lovell. Furthermore, galls form on roots of trees from both Guardian seed sources, and M. incognita produced just as many galls on Guardian as on Lovell. The major benefit from these research results is that rootknot nematodes do not reproduce well on Guardian rootstock even though galls are formed. Additionally, Guardian rootstock is showing promise as a management tool against two important problems facing peach production in the Southeast: root-knot nematodes and peach tree short life, which is initiated by ring nematode.

Technical Abstract: N/A