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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295031
Title: Host suitability of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) cultivars to Meloidogyne ethiopica and M. graminicola.

Author
item CRUZ, F - Embrapa
item BRUM, D - Embrapa
item GOMES, CESAR - Embrapa
item Nyczepir, Andrew

Submitted to: Nematologia Brasileira
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Considering the importance of the perennial grass tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) having as forage potential and its resistance to many pests, including some phytoparasitic nematodes, the host reaction of three tall fescue cultivars (cvs. Bulldogs 51, Georgia 5 and Jesup AR542 ) were evaluated for their susceptibility to Meloidogyne spp. under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings of the different cultivars were planted into pots containing sterilized soil and inoculated with 5000 eggs + second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne ethiopica or M. graminicola/plant. 'Rutgers' tomato and 'BR IRGA 410' rice (known susceptibility host) was used as the control for M. ethiopica and M. graminicola, respectively. The treatments were replicated six times in a completely randomized design. Seventy days after inoculation, the nematode final population were estimated to determine the reproduction factor (RF=final population/initial population) for both Meloidogyne spp. for the different genetic materials. 'Georgia 5' and 'Jesup AR542' RF were rated as resistant hosts to M. graminicola and M. ethiopica; while 'Bulldog 51' behaved as resistant to M. graminicola and immune to M. ethiopica as compared to the controls. Tall fescue may have potential as preplant control strategy in suppressing these Meloidogyne species in infested agricultural areas.