Screening of tomato genotypes against root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) under screen-house conditions

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop grown throughout the world and it is adversely affected by the root pathogen known as root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Drastic effects on yield and quality of the crop are evidenced by this pathogen. Resistant genotypes are thus needed to mitigate the adverse effects of this nematode and to get economic yields. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to find the resistant genotypes against root-knot nematode under screen-house conditions and it resulted into four moderately resistant genotypes among the thirty screened genotypes on basis of number of galls per root system, number of egg masses per root system and root-knot index (RKI). The phenol content of these four moderately resistant genotypes was significantly higher than the susceptible check. These moderately resistant genotypes can be further used as rootstocks in grafting technique under nematode infested soil conditions.