INTERACTIONS BETWEEN RESISTANT TOMATO CVS AND MELOIDOGYNE SPP. IN VITRO

Abstract

Single avirulent populations of Meloidogyne incognita and M. hapla and a virulent population of M. javanica were used to inoculate the resistant tomato cvs VFN8, Rossol, Small-Fry and Cold-Set either in root culture in vitro or in pots in a glasshouse. Incompatible reactions were observed in vitro and in pots when all the resistant cvs, except Cold-Set in vitro, were inoculated with M. incognita. M. hapla was able to develop on VFN8 and Rossol in pots but was unable to do it in root cultures, whereas Small-Fry was susceptible in both situations. The virulent population of M. javanica heavily infested all the resistant cvs used either in vitro or in pots. The unexpected incompatible reaction of the Mi-bearing cultured roots to M. hapla is discussed and the difference of Mi-gene with respect to the resistant factor present in Small-Fry is also suggested.