Host Suitability of Prunus Rootstocks to Four Meloidogyne Species and Pratylenchus vulnus in Spain

Abstract

Ten almond varieties and three experimental peach-almond hybrids were evaluated for their reactions against M. arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica, M. hapla, and Pratylenchus vulnus. In a first experiment, four almond varieties commonly used as rootstocks in Spain were susceptible to M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. hapla. In a second experiment, the almond D-3-5, and the hybrids G x N No 9 and Cachirulo showed varying degrees of resistance to M. javanica. The remaining cultivars were susceptible to M. javanica. In a third experiment, all tested materials were good hosts of P vulnus. The peach-almond hybrid G x N No 1, highly resistant to several species of root-knot nematodes, had the highest level of parasitism by P vulnus. In an histological study, P vulnus colonized extensively the cortical parenchyma of the roots of Garrigues, Garfi and G x N No 1 forming large pockets that contained all stages of the nematode as well as cavities.