Plant Pathology (2018) 67, 1161-1167

A. Expósito, M. Munera, A. Giné, M. López-Gómez, A. Cáceres, B. Picó, C. Gisbert, V. Medina and F.J. Sorribas (2018)
Cucumis metuliferus is resistant to root-knot nematode Mi1.2 gene (a)virulent isolates and a promising melon rootstock
Plant Pathology 67 (5), 1161-1167
Abstract: Pot experiments were carried out to characterize the response of two Cucumis metuliferus accessions (BGV11135 and BGV10762) against Mi1.2 gene (a)virulent Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica isolates and to determine the compatibility and the effect on physicochemical properties of fruit melons. In addition, histopathological studies were conducted. One week after transplanting, plants were inoculated with one J2 cm^-3 of sterilized sand (200 cm³ pots) and maintained in a growth chamber at 25 °C for 40 days. The susceptible cucumber cv. Dasher II or melon cv. Paloma were included for comparison. The number of egg masses and number of eggs per plant were assessed, and the reproduction index (RI) was calculated as the percentage of eggs produced on the C. metuliferus accessions compared to those produced on the susceptible cultivars. The compatibility and fruit quality were assessed by grafting three scions, two of Charentais type and one of type piel de sapo, under commercial greenhouse conditions. The resistance level of both C. metuliferus accessions ranged from highly resistant (RI < 1%) to resistant (1% < RI < 10%) irrespective of Meloidogyne isolates. Melon plants grafted onto C. metuliferus accession BGV11135 grew as self-grafted plants without negatively impacting fruit quality traits. Giant cells induced by Meloidogyne spp. on C. metuliferus were in general poorly developed compared to those on cucumber. Furthermore, necrotic areas surrounding the nematode were observed. Cucumis metuliferus accession BGV11135 could be a promising melon rootstock to manage Meloidogyne spp., irrespective of their Mi1.2 (a)virulence, without melon fruit quality reduction.
(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, Belén Pico, Vicente Medina

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Meloidogyne javanica	Melon (Cucumis melo)
	Meloidogyne incognita	Melon (Cucumis melo)
	Meloidogyne arenaria	Melon (Cucumis melo)