Studies on root-knot nematodes and resistance in wild potatoes

FERRER, MS; GARCIA, LE; SEGURA, D; RICARDO MASUELLI; SÁNCHEZ PUERTA, M. V.

Mendoza

Congreso; Reunión Científica de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2010

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Root-knot nematodes, from the genus Meloidogyne, represent the most important soil pathogen for potato cultivars in Mendoza (Argentina). The cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum) is highly susceptible to the root- knot nematode M. incognita. This nematode causes great yield losses and a substantial reduction in tuber quality. No resistant potato cultivar is known, although tolerance or resistance to infection by M. incognita has been reported for some wild potato species. However, the identity of the resistant genotypes of wild potatoes and race of the nematodes tested are unknown. This work focuses on the identification of root-knot nematodes that infect potato cultivars in Mendoza and on the evaluation of resistance in diverse wild potatoes. The identification of nematodes was performed through observation of the pattern of the perineal region of females and the differential host test. A nematode identified as M. incognita race 2 was isolated from an egg mass that was multiplied in susceptible tomatoes. A variety of wild potatoes grow in the region of Cuyo (Mendoza) and were tested for their resistance to M. incognita raza 2. The response to nematode infection was diverse, including at least one tolerant genotype of a wild potato.