Genotypic response of different potato cultivars against Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The use of resistant genotypes is an attractive altemative for managing yield losses caused by plant parasitic nematodes. Experiments were designed to identify resistant potato gennplasm against root-knot nematode, Meloidogvne incognita. at Faisalabad, Pakistan. Ten potato cultlvars, replicated five times in RCBD layout, were sown in a sick plot infested with M. incognita. Root-knot nematode reproduction and host damage were assessed by recording root galls, egg-mass indices, root weight, shoot weight, number of leaves, fruit weight, rate of reproduction and final population of nematodes. The data revealed considerable vanatlon in response against M. incognita among the genotypes tested but none of the cultivars was immune. The cultivar FD-8-1 was hlghly susceptible. Other nine cultlvars had lesser galling index, with low fecundity =indicating their ability to restrain the adult female reproduction. The cultivar FD-61-3 scored least number of root galls and egg-mass indices.