Host suitability level of selected Brassicaceae plants for Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) and Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae)

Abstract

Biofumigation with Brassica spp. could be an alternative method to suppress root-knot nematodes. It is important to select poor or non-host Brassica genotypes for Meloidogyne spp. to investigate the efficiency of biofumigation. To determine potential biofumigant plants, 40 Brassica genotypes were screened for host suitability level to Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) and Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) in pot experiments in 2010 and 2011. Seedlings of each genotype were inoculated with 2000 or 0 root-knot nematode's eggs per plant. Pots were arranged in a completely randomized block design with 5 replicate in a controlled greenhouse at 20 +/- 1 degrees C for 60 days. Experiment was repeated once. Host suitability was based on the gall index, egg masses index and nematode developmental stage. As a result of host suitability level studies, 12 genotypes for M. incognita and 9 of these 12 genotypes for M. arenaria were found to be as poor host. According to all parameters, poor hosts might be selected to search and use for their biofumigation potentially.