Determination of species and races of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) for establishing pure populations in breeding trials

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute, AgriculturalResearch, Education and ExtensionOrganization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

2 Plant Protection Department- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences- University of Guilan- Rasht- Iran

3 Department of Plant Biotechnology,Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan Rasht, Iran

4 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University ofTehran, Karaj, Iran

10.22034/ijon.2023.710640

Abstract

The root-knot nematode (RKN) species cause substantial damages on roots of crops and decrease the yield of susceptible cultivars. Developing improved resistant cultivars, against species and races of root-knot nematodes, is the goal of breeding programs worldwide. Accurate identification of root-knot nematode species and races are prerequisites for the management of these pathogens. Accordingly, in the present study, several soil and root samples were collected from vegetable growing areas of Guilan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces. The root-knot nematodes were isolated and each population was purified and cultured on the susceptible tomato cv. Early Urbana using single egg masses. Each population was morphologically identified based on perineal patterns and morphometrics of second-stage juveniles. To confirm morphological characteristics, SCAR primers Ink-14 and F/R jav, and universal primers D2A/D3B 28s rDNA were used for specific amplification and sequencing. The newly generated sequences were compared with previously deposited sequences at GenBank. The recovered species were identified as M. javanica and M. incognita from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad and Guilan provinces, respectively based on differential host test. The results of the test revealed that the races of the recovered species belong to race one of M. javanica and race two of M. incognita, respectively. The obtained results of this study are useful in screening and developing new resources of resistance against root-knot nematodes.

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