European Journal of Plant Pathology (2005) 111, 29-38

Francisco Javier Sorribas, César Ornat, Soledad Verdejo-Lucas, Magda Galeano and Jordi Valero (2005)
Effectiveness and profitability of the Mi-resistant tomatoes to control root-knot nematodes
European Journal of Plant Pathology 111 (1), 29-38
Abstract: Experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness and profitability of the Mi-resistance gene in tomato in suppressing populations of Meloidogyne javanica in a plastic-house with a natural infestation of the nematode. Experiments were also conducted to test for virulence and durability of the resistance. Monika (Mi-gene resistant) and Durinta (susceptible) tomato cultivars were cropped for three consecutive seasons in non-fumigated or in soil fumigated with methyl bromide at 75 g m^-2 and at a cost of 2.44 euros m^-2. Nematode densities were determined at the beginning and end of each crop. Yield was assessed in eight plants per plot weekly for 6 weeks. The Pf/Pi values were 0.28 and 21.6 after three crops of resistant or susceptible cultivars, respectively. Growth of resistant as opposed to susceptible tomato cultivars in non-fumigated soil increased profits by 30,000 euros ha^-1. The resistant Monika in non-fumigated soil yielded similarly (P > 0.05) to the susceptible Durinta in methyl bromide fumigated soil but the resistant tomato provided a benefit of 8800 euros ha^-1 over the susceptible one because of the cost of fumigation. Selection for virulence did not occur, although the nematode population subjected to the resistant cultivar for three consecutive seasons produced four times more eggs than the population on the susceptible one. Such a difference was also shown when the resistant cultivar was subjected to high continuous inoculum pressure for 14 weeks. The Mi-resistance gene can be an effective and economic alternative to methyl bromide in plastic-houses infested with root-knot nematodes, but should be used in an integrated management context to preserve its durability and prevent the selection of virulent populations due to variability in isolate reproduction and environmental conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Francisco Javier Sorribas, Soledad Verdejo-Lucas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
damage/losses/economics

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Meloidogyne javanica	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	Spain (continental)