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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #397790
Research Project: Improvement of Cotton through Genetic Base Diversification and Enhancement of Agronomic, Fiber, and Nematode Resistance Traits

Location: Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research

Title: Virulence of two isolates of Meloidogyne enterolobii (guava root-knot nematode) from North Carolina on cotton lines resistant to southern root-knot nematode (M. incognita) and reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis)

Author
item Gaudin, Amanda
item Wubben, Martin
item McCarty, Jack
item Jenkins, Johnie

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2022
Publication Date: 6/22/2023
Citation: Gaudin, A.G., Wubben, M., Mccarty Jr, J.C., Jenkins, J.N. 2023. Virulence of two isolates of Meloidogyne enterolobii (guava root-knot nematode) from North Carolina on cotton lines resistant to southern root-knot nematode (M. incognita) and reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis). Journal of Nematology. 55:0021. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2023-0021.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2023-0021

Interpretive Summary: The guava root-knot nematode (GRKN) is an emerging pathogen of cotton in the southeastern United States. Cotton varieties are available that are resistant to the southern root-knot nematode (SRKN) and reniform nematode (RN); however, it is unknown how these resistance genes will perform against GRKN. In this study we show that resistance genes that protect against SRKN and RN do not provide resistance against GRKN. However, our data suggest that cotton lines having resistance to SRKN and RN may be more tolerant of GRKN infection and this phenomenon warrants further investigation under greenhouse and field conditions. These findings also show that resistance screening against GRKN should be a prioritized research objective in the cotton breeding community.

Technical Abstract: The guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii, GRKN) is an emerging plant-parasitic nematode that poses a threat to Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production in the southeastern United States. GRKN has a wide host range and proven ability to overcome resistance sources that have helped protect crops from multiple Meloidogyne spp., including the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita, RKN). In this study, upland cotton RKN resistance loci (Chr. 11 and Chr.14) were inoculated with GRKN isolates to determine if this resistance is a viable option for GRKN management. The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis, RN) cotton resistance gene Renbarb2 was also tested against GRKN infection. Results determined both RKN and RN resistance sources did not provide resistance to GRKN, leaving cotton growers at risk of crop loss. Researchers will need to develop highly diverse lines and screen available cotton lines to search for GRKN resistance.