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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #343740

Research Project: Genetics and Integrated Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Cotton and Peanut

Location: Crop Genetics and Breeding Research

Title: Influence of root exudates and soil on attachment of Pasteuria penetrans to root-knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria

Author
item LIU, CHANG - University Of Georgia
item Timper, Patricia - Patty
item JI, PINGSHENG - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2017
Publication Date: 12/1/2017
Citation: Liu, C., Timper, P., Ji, P. 2017. Influence of root exudates and soil on attachment of Pasteuria penetrans to root-knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria. Phytopathology. 107:S5.146-S5.147.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pasteuria penetrans is a parasite of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). Spores of P. penetrans attach to the cuticle of second stage juvenile (J2) and sterilize infected female. This study looked at different factors that influence spore attachment of P. penetrans to M. arenaria. Incubating J2 with root exudates reduced spore attachment compared to incubation with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), suggesting the nematode surface coat was altered or the carbohydrate recognition domain that recognizes the spore surface was blocked. There was no difference in spore attachment following exposure to root exudates from either host or non-host for M. arenaria, indicating there is common signal that affects spore attachment. Root exudates reduced spore attachment more in sterilized soil than in natural soil. It could be that sterilization eliminated microbes that consume root exudates, or altered the soil solution components or physicochemical characteristics. Soil types (clay and sand) had differential effects on spore attachment. With better adsorbent ability, clay is likely to adsorb more components from root exudates that may affect spore attachment. Root exudates could be affected by different soil types too, leading to the difference in root exudate components. Results in this study provide valuable information for better understanding of the root exudate- surface coat – spore attachment interaction that helps develop P. penetrans as a biological control agent.