Exploring <i>Solanum </i>species for resistance to root-knot nematode (<i>Meloidogyne incognita</i>)

Abstract

Sixty-six accessions including 11 Solanum species and eight accessions intermediate between S. melongena and S. insanum were screened against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, for identification of sources of resistance. Accession of S. insanum (IC316278) and the intermediate between S. melongena and S. insanum accession (IC253952) were found to be moderately resistant (RKI: 3, 11-30 galls per root system) in initial screening, and were found susceptible when these were exposed to M. incoginta for a period of 90 days. However, accession of S. torvum was found to be resistant, as it consistently recorded less number of galls and egg masses after 45 days (7.0 galls and 4.6 egg masses per root system) and 90 days (8.4 galls and 6.6 egg masses per root system) post-inoculation of M. incognita. Thus, it can be concluded that S. torvum accession, IC618029, is a valuable source of resistance to M. incognita which can be used in nematode resistance breeding programme and as a rootstock particularly in brinjal and tomato to lessen nematode damage.