ARS | Publication request: USE OF RESISTANT PEPPERS TO MANAGE SOUTHERN ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES: COMPARISONOF HOST PLANT RESISTANCE AND METHYL BROMIDE SOIL FUMIGATION

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 9, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Three pepper cultivars differing in resistance to southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (MI), were planted in non-fumigated plots and plots that had been fumigated with 98 percent methyl bromide: 2 percent chloropicrin. The cultivars used were the highly resistant Carolina Cayenne (CC), the intermediate-resistant Keystone Resistant Giant (KRG), and the susceptible California Wonder (CW). Fumigated plots: All cultivars exhibited minimal root galling and nematode reproduction. Non-fumigated plots: CC exhibited minimal root galling and nematode reproduction and yields were not reduced. CW exhibited severe root galling and high nematode reproduction and yields were significantly reduced. KRG exhibited intermediate root galling and nematode reproduction. KRG yields were not reduced, and this suggests that KRG may be relatively tolerant to Mi. Conclusions: The highly resistant CC should be useful as a rotational crop in reducing Mi populations to levels that would allow subsequent production of root-knot susceptible vegetable crops.