In Vitro Embryo Explant Cultures of Peanut to Evaluate Resistance to Ditylenchus destructor

Authors

  • D. De Waele
  • P. C. W. van der Walt
  • Ria Wilken
  • Selmare Basson
  • Elizabeth M. Jordaan

Abstract

Population densities olD. destructor on embryo explants of 22 peanut genotypes grown in vitro were compared with those in roots and seeds of the same genotypes grown in the greenhouse. During the first 8 weeks after inoculation, the optimum incubation period was 6 weeks for maximum reproduction of Ditflenchus destructor on embryo explants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Sellie) inoculated with 250 nematodes at 25 C. Nematode numbers increased 17-fold. Deletion of MnSO[sub4] H[sub2]O and a higher KH[sub2]PO[sub4] concentration in the medium resulted in higher nematode reproduction. Resistance or susceptibility to D. destructor was observed in seeds of several genotypes but was not matched by differences in host suitability in roots. The results indicate that the factor for resistance or susceptibility to D. destructor is synthesized in the seeds of peanut but is not translocated to the roots. Use of embryo explant cultures of peanut as a rapid method to evaluate resistance to D. destructor did not work under the conditions described. Key words: Arachis hypogaea, culturing, Ditylenchus destructor, embryo explant, host nutrition, peanut, reproduction, resistance, screening, susceptibility.

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Published

1990-07-15

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Section

Articles