ARS | Publication request: RESISTANCE OF SWEETPOTATO GENOTYPES TO ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 30, 2005
Publication Date: January 6, 2006
Citation: Thies, J.A. 2006. Resistance of sweetpotato genotypes to root-knot nematodes. Journal of Nematology. p. 54.

Technical Abstract: Thirteen sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica , M. hapla , and M. arenaria races 1 and 2 in greenhouse tests. The sweetpotato genotypes evaluated were: U.S. Plant Introduction (PI) 399163, Sumor, Nemagold, Excel, Tinian, Hernandez, Jewel, Regal, Porto Rico, Centennial, Georgia Jet, Sulfur, and Beauregard. Meloidogyne incognita was most pathogenic to sweetpotato of the four Meloidogyne spp. evaluated in these studies. The U.S. PI 399163 and Sumor were resistant (reproductive index < 1.00) to M. incognita in all tests. Only two genotypes, Beauregard and Porto Rico, were susceptible to M. javanica. All genotypes evaluated were resistant to M. hapla, M. arenaria race 1, and M. arenaria race 2. Sumor, U.S. PI 399163, and Nemagold were most resistant to the four Meloidogyne spp. used in these studies. Meloidogyne incognita is the most commonly occurring root-knot nematode species in sweetpotato growing areas of the southern U.S. and is pathogenic to most of the commonly grown sweetpotato cultivars. Thus, efforts to develop resistant cultivars with desirable horticultural characteristics for the U.S. market should focus on screening against M. incognita.