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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #78561
Title: ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE ON PEACH IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES: AN UPDATE AND ADVANCES

Author
item Nyczepir, Andrew
item MILLER, WALKER - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item Beckman, Thomas

Submitted to: African Plant Protection
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The rootknot nematode is involved in the peach tree short life disease and is prevalent in South Carolina peach orchards. Preliminary observations indicate that the newly released Guardian rootstock possesses resistance to this nematode. Knowing which rootknot nematode species are present in peach orchards and the host suitability of Guardian rootstock to rootknot nematodes is important in developing a good nematode management program. Rootknot nematode species were determined in South Carolina peach orchards. Two nematode species were found, Meloidogyne incognita(95 percent) and M. javanica (5 per cent). Guardian was observed to be a poor host to both nematode types. These data provide useful information into the incidence of two economically important rootknot nematode species in South Carolina and the host suitability of Guardian peach rootstock to these nematodes. This suggests that Guardian can be used effectively where these two nematode species/populations are present.

Technical Abstract: Root-knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp., are still considered a significant problem to peach production in the southeastern United States. Meloidogyne spp. have been detected in more than 50% of the peach orchards sampled in Georgia and South Carolina. In South Carolina, M. incognita (95%) and M. javanica (5%) were the only two species found. The current rootstock recommendation for managing Meloidogyne spp. calls for the use of Nemaguard (RKN-resistant) or Lovell (RKN-susceptible) peach rootstocks. Lovell is recommended in conjunction with a nematicide in areas where peach tree short life disease complex (PTSL) is a problem. Discovering a rootstock superior to Lovell that is both root-knot nematode resistant and survives on PTSL sites would be of great value to the peach industry. In 1991, a peach seedling rootstock, BY520-9 (=GuardianTM), was identified as providing superior tree survival on PTSL sites compared to Lovell. Recent greenhouse evaluations indicate that GuardianTM is a poor host to both populations of M. incognita and M. javanica tested.