Eighteen cultigens of pineapple, Ananas comosus, were evaluated for resistance and tolerance to Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne javanica. Reproductive factors (Pf/Pi) were compared between cultigens, percentage crown growth was contrasted between inoculated and uninoculated pineapples, and nematodes supported per g of dry root were calculated. All cultigens were susceptible to both species of nematodes. The cultigens were more susceptible to M. javanica than to R. reniformis infection. Lot 520 and A. ananassoides, previously reported to be immune to nematode infection, both supported high levels of nematode reproduction. The Cayenne clones of A. comosus were less tolerant to M. javanica and more tolerant to R. reniformis infection than other cultigen groups. The tolerance found in Cayenne clones may be the result of indirect selection in the field, yet it is not sufficient to prevent crop loss from nematode infection.
