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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187571
Title: ASSESSMENT OF GUARDIAN PEACH ROOTSTOCK SUSCEPTIBILITY TO MELOIDOGYNE FLORIDENSIS AND M. PARTITYLA

Author
item Nyczepir, Andrew
item Beckman, Thomas
item REIGHARD, GREG - CLEMSON UNIV

Submitted to: Southeastern Peach Convention Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2006
Publication Date: 1/5/2006
Citation: Nyczepir, A.P., Beckman, T.G., Reighard, G.L. 2006. Assessment of Guardian peach rootstock susceptibility to Meloidogyne floridensis and M. partityla. In: Proceedings of the Southeastern Peach Convention, January 5-8, 2006, Savannah, Georgia. p. 20.

Interpretive Summary: Root-knot nematodes are an important pest of peach in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Four major Meloidogyne spp. have been reported to cause damage to stone fruits throughout the world, but Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica are the predominant species found on peach and plum. In previous short-term greenhouse studies, commercial sources of Guardian peach rootstock were effective in suppressing the reproduction of M. incognita and M. javanica 110 days after inoculation. However, additional long-term research is needed to elucidate the effect different root-knot nematode species have on growth parameters of Guardian and other advanced Prunus germplasm. A field microplot and greenhouse study was initiated to examine the susceptibility of an advance line of Guardian rootstock (SC 3-17-7) to M. floridensis (Peach root-knot nematode) and M. partityla (Pecan root-knot nematode), respectively. Results indicate that M. floridensis did not suppress tree growth of SC 3-17-7 as compared to the uninoculated control. In the greenhouse study, results indicate that M. partityla did not reproduce nor produce root galls on SC- 3-17-7. These data provide useful insights into the potential recommendation of Guardian rootstock in peach orchards infested with certain root-knot nematode species. Additionally, these data illustrate that SC 3-17-7 is tolerant to M. floridensis and appears to be resistant M. partityla.

Technical Abstract: An advance line of GuardianTM (i.e., SC 3-17-7) peach rootstock was evaluated for susceptibility and (or) growth response to Meloidogyne floridensis (Peach root-knot nematode; FL-peach isolate) and M. partityla (Pecan root-knot nematode; GA-pecan isolate) in field microplot or greenhouse studies, respectively. Results indicate that after 23 months, M. floridensis did not suppress tree growth of SC 3-17-7, Nemaguard, or Flordaguard rootstocks as compared to the uninoculated control. Meloidogyne floridensis reproduced on all 3 rootstocks, with greatest number of eggs per gram dry root being produced on Guardian and Nemaguard. In the greenhouse study, M. partityla did not reproduce nor produce root galls in 4 months after inoculation on any of the peach rootstocks tested (i.e., SC 3-17-7, Lovell, and Nemaguard) as compared to the known susceptible ‘Curtis’ pecan control.