Search

Four Capsicum chinense cultigens with known reactions to Meloidogyne incognita were characterized for resistance to M. arenaria races 1 and 2, M. hapla, and M. javanica, in greenhouse and growth-chamber tests. The M. incognita-resistant cultigens PA-353, PA-398, and PA-426 exhibited high resistance to M. arenaria race 1; the M. incognita-susceptible PA-350 was susceptible to M. arenaria race 1. M. arenaria race 2 and M. javanica were not highly pathogenic to any of the C. chinense cultigens. PA-353, PA-398, and PA-426, however, supported an average of 98.1 and 94.8% fewer (P < 0.05) M. arenaria race 2 and M. javanica eggs per gram fresh root, respectively, than PA-350. M. hapla was pathogenic to all four C. chinense cultigens. PA-353, PA-398, and PA-426 will be useful sources of resistance to M. arenaria races 1 and 2, M. javanica, and M. incognita, for developing resistant habanero pepper cultivars; however, an alternative source of resistance must be identified for M. hapla.

‘Charleston Belle’, a root-knot nematode-resistant pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum [Grossum Group]), and its susceptible recurrent parent, ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’, were compared as spring crops for managing the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in fall-cropped cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and squash (Cucurbita pepo) at Blackville, SC and Tifton, GA. ‘Charleston Belle’ exhibited minimal root galling and nematode reproduction, and ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ exhibited severe root galling and high nematode reproduction. Cucumber grown in plots following ‘Charleston Belle’ had lower (P ≤ 0.001) root gall severity indices than following ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ (4.2 versus 4.9, respectively). Cucumber yields were 87% heavier (P ≤ 0.0001) and numbers of fruit were 85% higher (P ≤ 0.0001) in plots previously planted to ‘Charleston Belle’ than to ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’. Squash grown in plots following ‘Charleston Belle’ had lower (P ≤ 0.001) root gall severity indices than following ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ (4.0 versus 4.8, respectively). Squash yields were 55% heavier (P ≤ 0.01) and numbers of fruit were 50% higher (P ≤ 0.001) in plots previously planted to ‘Charleston Belle’ than to ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’. These results demonstrate that root-knot nematode-resistant bell pepper cultivars such as ‘Charleston Belle’ are useful tools for managing M. incognita in double-cropping systems with cucurbit crops.

Four bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) cultivars, one squash (Cucurbita moschata × C. maxima) hybrid, five wild watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) germplasm lines, and one commercial wild watermelon (C. lanatus var. citroides) cultivar were evaluated as rootstocks for cultivated watermelon (C. lanatus var. lanatus) in fields infested with the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Charleston, SC in 2007 and 2008, and in Quincy, FL in 2008. Commercial watermelon ‘Fiesta’ (diploid seeded) and ‘Tri-X 313’ (triploid seedless) scions were grafted onto the rootstocks in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In 2007, the plants grafted on rootstock from the wild watermelon germplasm line RKVL 318 had significantly less (P < 0.05) root galling than nongrafted ‘Fiesta’ watermelon or plants with the squash hybrid or bottle gourd rootstocks. In 2008, ‘Fiesta’ plants with rootstocks from all five wild watermelon germplasm lines and the commercial watermelon rootstock had significantly less (P < 0.05) root galling than plants with the squash hybrid or bottle gourd rootstocks. Root galling of the squash hybrid and bottle gourd rootstocks was severe (78 to 99%) in both years. Root galling for nongrafted ‘Fiesta’ and ‘Tri-X 313’ watermelon was 36 and 50%, respectively. Root galling for the wild watermelon germplasm lines ranged from 11 to 34% and 36 to 44% in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Wild watermelon germplasm lines derived from C. lanatus var. citroides were identified that may be useful as resistant rootstocks for managing root-knot nematodes in watermelon.

Root-knot nematode-resistant rootstock lines (designated RKVL for Root-Knot Vegetable Laboratory) derived from wild watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) were compared with wild tinda (Praecitrullus fistulosus) lines and commercial cucurbit rootstock cultivars for grafting of seedless triploid watermelon ‘Tri-X 313’ (C. lanatus var. lanatus) in a field infested with the southern root-knot nematode (RKN) (Meloidogyne incognita) in Charleston, SC, during 2009 and 2010. In both years, RKN infection was severe in ‘Emphasis’ bottle gourd, ‘Strong Tosa’ hybrid squash, and wild tinda rootstocks with galling of the root system ranging from 86% to 100%. In 2009, the RKVL wild watermelon rootstocks exhibited lower (P < 0.05) percentages of root galling (range 9% to 16%) than non-grafted ‘Tri-X 313’ (41%), ‘Emphasis’, ‘Strong Tosa’, and the wild tinda rootstocks. The grafted wild watermelon rootstock RKVL 318 produced more (P ≤ 0.05) fruit (12 per plot) than all other entries (mean = five per plot), and it produced a heavier (P ≤ 0.05) fruit yield (29.5 kg per plot) than all entries except self-grafted ‘Tri-X 313’ (21.5 kg per plot). In 2010, soil in half of the plots was treated with methyl bromide (50%):chloropicrin (50%) (392 kg·ha–1) before planting. The RKVL wild watermelon rootstocks exhibited resistance to RKN with percentages of root system galled ranging from 11% for RKVL 316 to 56% for RKVL 301 in the untreated control plots. Fruit yields in the untreated plots were 21.9, 25.6, and 19.9 kg/plot for RKVL 301, RKVL 316, and RKVL 318, respectively. Yields were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the three RKVL rootstocks than for ‘Strong Tosa’ (3.0 kg) and ‘Ojakkyo’ wild watermelon rootstock (2.8 kg) in the untreated plots. Yields of watermelon grafted on ‘Strong Tosa’ were nearly seven times greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the methyl bromide-treated plots than in the untreated plots. In contrast, yields of RKVL 316 and RKVL 318 were similar in both treatments and the yield of RKVL 301 was less (P ≤ 0.05) in the methyl bromide-treated plots than in the untreated plots. The three RKVL wild watermelon rootstock lines exhibited resistance to RKN. RKVL 316 had low root galling and produced the heaviest fruit yield and greatest numbers of fruit of any rootstock evaluated in 2010. The RKVL lines should be useful sources of RKN resistance for rootstocks for grafted watermelon.

Southern root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) are an important re-emerging pest of watermelon in the United States and worldwide. The re-emergence of root-knot nematodes (RKNs) in watermelon and other cucurbits is largely the result of the intensive cultivation of vegetable crops on limited agricultural lands coupled with the loss of methyl bromide for pre-plant soil fumigation, which has been the primary method for control of RKNs and many soilborne diseases of cucurbits and other vegetable crops for several decades. One alternative for managing RKN in watermelon is the use of resistant rootstocks for grafted watermelon. We have developed several RKN-resistant Citrullus lanatus var. citroides lines (designated RKVL for Root-Knot Vegetable Laboratory), which have shown promise as rootstocks for grafted watermelon. In 2011 and 2012, we demonstrated that F1 hybrids derived from our selected RKVL lines exhibited resistance to RKN that was equal to or greater than that of the parental RKVL lines when grown in fields highly infested with M. incognita. In 2011, although significant differences were not observed among rootstocks, the F1 hybrids produced slightly higher yields compared with the selected parental lines. Among the selected parental lines, RKVL 318 produced high yields in both years. In 2011, three of four RKVL parental lines and all four of their F1 hybrids produced greater (P < 0.05) fruit yields than self-grafted ‘Tri-X 313’, ‘Emphasis’ bottle gourd, and ‘Strong Tosa’ squash hybrid. In 2012, three RKVL F1 hybrid lines produced higher yields than the selected parents. Overall, these F1 hybrids were vigorous and should provide useful genetic material for selection and development of robust RKN-resistant C. lanatus var. citroides rootstock lines.

Interest in specialty melons (Cucumis melo) with distinctive fruit characteristics has grown in the United States in recent years. However, disease management remains a major challenge in specialty melon production. In this study, grafting experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of using Cucumis metulifer, a species known for its genetic resistance to root-knot nematodes (RKNs; Meloidogyne spp.), as a potential rootstock for managing RKNs in susceptible specialty melon cultivars. In the greenhouse experiment, honeydew melon ‘Honey Yellow’ was grafted onto C. metulifer and inoculated with M. incognita race 1. The grafted plants exhibited significantly lower gall and egg mass indices and fewer eggs compared with non- and self-grafted ‘Honey Yellow’. Cucumis metulifer was further tested as a rootstock in conventional and organic field trials using honeydew melon ‘Honey Yellow’ and galia melon ‘Arava’ as scions. ‘Honey Yellow’ and ‘Arava’ grafted onto C. metulifer exhibited significantly lower galling and reduced RKN population densities in the organic field; however, total and marketable fruit yields were not significantly different from non- and self-grafted plants. Although the improvement of RKN resistance did not translate into yield enhancements, incorporating grafted specialty melons with C. metulifer rootstock into double-cropping systems with RKN-susceptible vegetables may benefit the overall crop production by reducing RKN population densities in the soil. At the conventional field site, which was not infested with RKNs, ‘Honey Yellow’ grafted onto C. metulifer rootstock had a significantly lower total fruit yield than non-grafted ‘Honey Yellow’ plants; however, fruit yields were similar for ‘Arava’ grafted onto C. metulifer rootstock and non-grafted ‘Arava’ plants. Although no significant impacts on the fruit quality attributes of ‘Honey Yellow’ were observed, grafting onto C. metulifer decreased the flesh firmness of ‘Arava’ in both field trials and resulted in a reduction in total soluble solids content under conventional production. In summary, grafting RKN-susceptible melons onto C. metulifer rootstock offers promise for growing these specialty melons; however, more studies are needed to elucidate the scion–rootstock interaction effect on fruit yield and quality.

Phytophthora capsici is an aggressive pathogen that is distributed worldwide with a broad host range infecting solanaceous, fabaceous, and cucurbitaceous crops. Over the past two decades, increased incidence of Phytophthora blight, particularly in eastern states, has threatened production of many vegetable crops. Cucumis melo L. (honeydew and muskmelon), although especially susceptible to fruit rot, is also highly susceptible to crown rot. Currently, little is known about host resistance to P. capsici in C. melo. To assess crown rot resistance in C. melo seedlings, 308 U.S. PIs, and two commercial cultivars (Athena and Dinero) were grown under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings with three to four true leaves were inoculated with a five-isolate zoospore suspension (1 × 104 zoospores per seedling) at the crown and monitored for 6 weeks. All the susceptible control plants of Athena died within 7 days post-inoculation. The majority of the PIs (281 of 308) were highly susceptible to crown rot and succumbed to the disease rapidly and had less than 20% of the plants survive. Several PIs (PI 181748, PI 182964, and PI 273438) succumbed to crown rot earlier than the susceptible melon cultivars. Eighty-seven PIs selected on the basis of the first screen were re-evaluated and of these PIs, 44 were less susceptible than cultivars Athena and Dinero. Twenty-five of the 87 PIs were evaluated again and of these six PI, greater than 80% of the plants survived in the two evaluations. Disease development was significantly slower on these PIs compared with the susceptible checks. High levels of resistance in S1 plants of PI 420180, PI 176936, and PI 176940 were observed, which suggests that development of resistant germplasm for use in breeding programs can be accomplished. Further screening and careful selection within each of these PIs can provide a framework for the development of resistant germplasm for use in breeding programs.

Southern root-knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) is a serious pest of cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) in southern regions of the United States and no resistance is known to exist in commercial watermelon cultivars. Wild watermelon relatives (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) have been shown in greenhouse studies to possess varying degrees ofresistance to RKN species. Experiments were conducted over 2 yr to assess resistance of southern RKN in C. lanatus var. citroides accessions from the U.S. Watermelon Plant Introduction Collection in an artificially infested field site at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC. In the first study (2006), 19 accessions of C. lanatus var. citroides were compared with reference entries of Citrullus colocynthis and C. lanatus var. lanatus. Of the wild watermelon accessions, two entries exhibited significantly less galling than all other entries. Five of the best performing C. lanatus var. citroides accessions were evaluated with and without nematicide at the same field site in 2007. Citrullus lanatus var. citroides accessions performed better than C. lanatus var. lanatus and C. colocynthis. Overall, most entries of C. lanatus var. citroides performed similarly with and without nematicide treatment in regard to root galling, visible egg masses, vine vigor, and root mass. In both years of field evaluations, most C. lanatus var. citroides accessions showed lesser degrees of nematode reproduction and higher vigor and root mass than C. colocynthis and C. lanatus var. lanatus. The results of these two field evaluations suggest that wild watermelon populations may be useful sources of resistance to southern RKN.

There is a continuous need to enhance watermelon cultivars for disease and pest resistance. Different U.S. Plant Introductions (PIs) of Citrullus lanatus subsp. lanatus var. lanatus [also known as C. lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. et Nakai subsp. lanatus var. citroides (Bailey) Mansf. ex Greb.] (CLC) collected in southern Africa are a useful source for enhancing disease or pest resistance in watermelon cultivars. They are also valuable as rootstocks for grafted watermelon, particularly in fields infested with root-knot nematodes or Fusarium wilt. However, there is little information about genetic relationships among these PIs. In this study, genetic diversity was examined among 74 CLC PIs collected from their center of origin in southern Africa. Also, 15 Citrullus lanatus subsp. lanatus (CLL) PIs and the American heirloom cultivars Charleston Gray and Black Diamond (Citrullus lanatus subsp. vulgaris (Schrader ex Eckl. et Zeyh.) Fursa) (CLV) and five Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrader (CC) PIs collected in different locations throughout the world were used as out-groups in the phylogenetic analysis for the CLC PIs. Twenty-three high frequency oligonucleotides—targeting active gene (HFO-TAG) primers were used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments to produce a total of 562 polymorphic markers among the Citrullus PIs and cultivars. Cluster and multidimensional scaling plot analysis produced distinct groups of CLC, CLL, and CC PIs. Several PIs that were designated as CLC or CLL were in transitional positions, indicating that they are the result of gene flow between the major Citrullus groups or subgroups. Population structure analysis indicated that CLC comprises two subgroups; each containing a set of unique alleles. Also, unique alleles exist in the CLL and the CC genotypes. Overall, broad genetic diversity exists among the Citrullus PIs. The data in this study should be useful for identifying PIs with a wide genetic distance between them that could be used in breeding programs aiming to develop heterotic F1 hybrid rootstock lines for grafted watermelon.

Grafting with resistant rootstocks is an effective strategy to manage a variety of soilborne diseases and root-knot nematodes in solanaceous and cucurbitaceous vegetables. In addition, improved resistance to some foliar diseases and viruses has also been reported in grafted plants. Hence, grafting technology is considered an important and innovative practice of integrated pest management and a promising alternative for soil fumigants in vegetable production. Inherent resistance within rootstocks and improved plant nutrient uptake are generally suggested as the main reasons for improved disease control in grafted vegetables. However, increasing evidence indicated that systemic defense mechanisms may also play an important role in plant defense as a result of grafting. This review analyzes current literature on the use of grafting techniques for disease management in vegetable crops, discusses potential mechanisms associated with grafting-conferred plant defense, and identifies needs for future research to promote more effective and efficient use of grafting technology to support sustainable vegetable production.

USVL-220 is a novel watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] breeding line containing the nuclear genome of watermelon cultivars (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) and cytoplasmic background (chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes) derived from the desert species Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. USVL-220 was developed at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC. Development of USVL-220 began in 1999 with the greenhouse observations of F1 plants derived from reciprocal crosses between the U.S. PI 386015 (C. colocynthis) and the watermelon cultivars New Hampshire Midget (NHM), Extra Early Sugar Baby, Allsweet, or Charleston Gray (C. lanatus var. lanatus). In general, F1 plants derived from a cross in which the C. colocynthis (PI 386015) was the maternal parent produced a female flower for every two to three male flowers. Conversely, in the reciprocal cross, in which a watermelon cultivar was used as the maternal parent, the F1 plants produced a female flower for every four to six (NHM) or five to seven (‘Allsweet’ or ‘Charleston Gray’) male flowers (Levi et al., 2006). Like with most plant species, the chloroplast and mitochondria are inherited maternally in watermelon (Havey et al., 1998; Levi and Thomas, 2005). Several studies have indicated that interaction between nuclear and maternally inherited (chloroplast or mitochondrial) genes affect flower morphogenesis in plant species (Ehlers et al., 2005; Kheyr-Pour, 1980; Ross, 1978; Ross and Gregourius, 1985; Van der Hulst et al., 2004; Wade and McCauley, 2005). Diolez et al. (1986) indicated that mitochondria play a role in the biosynthesis of endogenous ethylene in plant tissues, whereas Salman et al. (2008) suggested that ethylene reduces the formation of female flowers in watermelon. A wide genetic diversity exists between watermelon cultivars (C. lanatus var. lanatus) and U.S. PIs of C. lanatus var. citroides and C. colocynthis, indicating that a large number of exotic alleles may have been excluded during many years of cultivation and selection for watermelon with desirable fruit qualities (Levi et al., 2001). Our primary objective here was to enhance watermelon cultivars (C. lanatus var. lanatus) with the exotic chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of the desert watermelon C. colocynthis as has been shown in other important crop plants (Burke and Stewart, 2003; Stewart, 1990; Tao et al., 2004). Such breeding lines should be valuable in the development of cytoplasmic substitution lines, which have the nuclear genome of a watermelon cultivar but the cytoplasm of C. colocynthis versus that of cultivated watermelon (C. lanatus var. lanatus) and could be useful in examining if any nuclear–cytoplasmic gene interaction affects female flower production in watermelon. The C. colocynthis exists in the hot deserts of North Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia. As a desert plant, C. colocynthis can tolerate drought, intense sun exposure, and high day and low night temperatures better than the cultivated watermelon (Althawadi and Grace, 1986; Schafferman et al., 1998). Notable differences exist between the chloroplast genome of C. lanatus var. lanatus and that of C. colocynthis (Dane and Lang, 2004). Introducing the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of C. colocynthis into watermelon cultivars may improve their ability to survive drought conditions. Maternal effect on drought tolerance has been indicated in other crop plants, including the pondweed Potamogeton anguillanus (Iida et al., 2007) or Moss Tortula ruralis (Oliver et al., 2010). Cytoplasmic substation lines containing the C. colocynthis cytoplasm versus that of cultivated watermelon should be useful for studying if the cytoplasm plays any role in drought tolerance.

US-1136, US-1137, and US-1138 are new cowpea lines with vigorous, indeterminate growth habits that were released by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2010 and are recommended for use as a cover crop. Cowpeas are valued as a summer cover crop (Clark, 2007), because they thrive in hot moist environments, grow well in low-fertility soils, and their vigorous growth smothers weeds. They can fix up to 220 kg·ha nitrogen and are an excellent source of nitrogen for fallplanted crops. Resistance of cover crop cultivars to soilborne diseases is necessary to avoid increasing populations of pathogens and plant–parasitic nematodes that induce disease in rotational crops. Many indeterminate cowpea genotypes produce seeds with impermeable seedcoats (hard seeds). The major attributes of lines US-1136, US-1137, and US-1138 have rapid growth, high biomass production, a long vegetative growth period, and southern root knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White] resistance, and they do not produce seeds with impermeable seedcoats.

The round melon Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks) Pangalo has been cultivated in Asia since ancient times and has been considered an underexploited crop in the western world. In the USA, there is an increased interest in using P. fistulosus as a commercial vegetable, and possibly as a rootstock for grafting watermelon, melon, or cucumber. However, the taxonomic classification of P. fistulosus is incomplete and for many years it has been considered a close relative of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus subsp. vulgaris (Schrad. ex Eckl. et Zeyh.) Fursa] and was previously classified as Citrullus lanatus subsp. fistulosus (Stocks) Duthie et J.B. Fuller. Here, we used two sets of DNA markers to assess the genetic similarity of P. fistulosus in relation to Citrullus spp. {including Citrullus lanatus subsp. vulgaris, C. lanatus subsp. lanatus, Citroides group [also known as C. lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. et Nakai subsp. lanatus var. citroides (Bailey) Mansf. ex Greb.], and C. colocynthis (L.) Schrad.}, Cucumis spp. (including C. melo, C. sativus, C. anguria, C. meeusei, C. zeyheri), Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., Lagenariasiceraria (Mol.) Standl. and Cucurbita spp. (including C. moschata Duchesne and the winter squash C. maxima Duchesne). The first marker set comprised 501 markers that were produced by 38 primer pairs derived from watermelon expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) containing simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs (designated as EST-SSR primers; produced 311 markers), and by 18 primer pairs derived from ESTs that do not contain SSR motives (designated here as EST-PCR primers; produced 190 markers). The second marker set comprised 628 markers that were produced by 18 sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primer pairs. The phylogenetic data indicated that among these cucurbit species, the wax gourd B. hispida is the closest to the P. fistulosus. Pollen observations, using light microscopy, indicated that each of the cucurbit genera examined here has unique pollen morphology. The Cucurbita spp. have globular pollen grains with a stigmatic surface. The L.siceraria has polygonal pollen grains with symmetrical boundaries, while the Citrullus spp. and Cucumis spp. have ovular (conical) and triangular shaped pollen grains (respectively). The B. hispida and P. fistulosus have spherical or semispherical pollen grains. These pollen features appear to be in agreement with the phylogenetic relationships of these two species based on DNA markers. Analysis with 12 SRAP primer pairs revealed low genetic diversity among 18 United States Plant Introductions (PIs) of P. fistulosus, indicating the need to expand the germplasm collection of this cucurbit crop.

Genetic resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in pepper (Capsicum annuum) has been well characterised for the N and Me3 resistance genes. However, there are no studies comparing the effects of these two genes directly or investigating the combined effects when both genes are present together. Several studies were undertaken to investigate the relationship of the N and Me3 gene systems to one another and to assess whether these two genes are allelic or truly separate genes. Two genotypes homozygous for the N gene (‘Carolina Wonder’ and ‘Charleston Belle’) and two genotypes homozygous for the Me3 gene (HDA 149 and PM 687) were compared in a replicated greenhouse test for reaction to M. incognita race 3. There were no significant differences between the resistant reactions of genotypes possessing the N or Me3 gene. Allelism tests were performed using the F2 populations of the parental genotypes HDA 149 × ‘Charleston Belle’ and HDA 149 × ‘Carolina Wonder’. The results of these studies clearly show the N and Me3 genes to be distinct, separate dominant resistance genes conferring resistance to M. incognita race 3 and not alleles of the same gene.

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in Europe and in the USA in grafting watermelon onto bottle gourd,Lagenaria siceraria(Mol.) Standl. In this study, genetic diversity and relationships were examined [using 236 sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers] among 56 United States plant introductions (PIs) ofL. sicerariaand PIs of important cucurbit crops [includingCucurbita maximaDuchesne (winter squash),Cucurbita pepoL. (squash and pumpkin),Citrullusspp. (watermelon),Cucumis meloL. (melon) andCucumis sativusL. (cucumber)]. The analysis showed thatL. sicerariais distinct and has similar genetic distances to the cucurbit species examined herein. TheL. sicerariaPIs were assembled into two major clusters. One cluster includes groups of PIs collected mostly in South Asia (India) and a few PIs collected in the Mediterranean region and in Northeast Africa. The second cluster includes groups of PIs collected mainly in Southern Africa and in North, Central and South America, and PIs collected in China, Indonesia and Cyprus. AllL. sicerariaPIs in this study were susceptible to the southern root-knot nematode (RKN) [Meloidogyne incognita(Kofoid and White) Sandground]. However, several PIs, among them a group of closely related PIs collected in Mexico and Florida, were less infected with southern RKNs. AllL. sicerariaPIs were infested with whiteflies [Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)], while several PIs were less infested than others and need further evaluation and selection for developing breeding lines that may be less appealing to this pest. Most of the PIs that showed resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus and tolerance to powdery mildew were collected in India and belong to the same phylogenetic groups (PGs). Experiments withL. sicerariaPIs representing different PGs showed similar grafting compatibility with watermelon. Findings from this study should be useful for the development of superiorL. sicerariarootstock lines with enhanced resistance to diseases and insect pests of cucurbit crops.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause extensive damage to watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus], and resistance to root-knot nematodes has not been identified in any watermelon cultivar. Twenty-six U.S. Plant Introductions (PIs) of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. citroides (L. H. Bailey) Mansf., one PI of C. lanatus var. lanatus, and three PIs of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. were evaluated in greenhouse tests for resistances to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood race 3 and Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 2. Twenty-three of the C. lanatus var. citroides PIs and the C. lanatus var. lanatus PIs were previously identified as moderately resistant to M. arenaria race 1. Overall, the C. lanatus var. citroides PIs exhibited low to moderate resistance, and the C. lanatus var. lanatus and C. colocynthis PIs were susceptible to both M. incognita race 3 and M. arenaria race 2. The C. lanatus var. citroides PI 482303 was the most resistant PI with gall index (GI) = 2.88 and reproductive index (RI) = 0.34 for M. incognita race 3 and GI = 3.46 and RI = 0.38 for M. arenaria race 2 (1 = no galling; 5 = 26% to 38% root system galled; 9 = 81% to 100% root system galled). These results demonstrate that there is significant genetic variability within C. lanatus var. citroides for reaction to M. incognita and M. arenaria race 2, and several C. lanatus var. citroides PIs may provide sources of resistance to root-knot nematodes.

The market for organically grown fruits and vegetables has been increasing in recent years, and research is vital for obtaining optimal quality and yields in organic production systems. Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) are investigating methods for managing plant-parasitic nematodes on these crops, and studies that involve practices appropriate for organic vegetable production are reviewed in this paper. The projects summarized here focus primarily on suppression of root knot nematode species, including Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood, M. hapla Chitwood, M. incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood. Projects from Florida include investigations of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and chitin amendments for management of nematodes on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). In South Carolina, research programs focus on the identificatio...

A preliminary screening experiment was conducted to evaluate 47 cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes for use as a weed-suppressing cover crop. Of these, 11 were selected for further testing on the basis of vigorous growth and weed-suppressing ability. In a field experiment repeated over 4 years, the selected genotypes were not different from the leading cover crop cultivar `Iron Clay' in biomass production. Vigor ratings, vine growth ratings, and canopy widths of some genotypes exceeded those of `Iron Clay' Vigor ratings and canopy measurements were efficient selection criteria that could be useful for breeding cover crop cowpea cultivars. All except one selection were highly resistant to southern root knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood], and the selections varied in seed size, photoperiod, and response to foliar diseases.

A cucurbit species named Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks) Pangalo, which thrives in India, is considered to be a distant relative of watermelon. Recent experiments indicated that it has mild resistance to whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). However, our attempts to cross various US plant introductions (PIs) of P. fistulosus with watermelon or other Citrullus PIs have not been successful. Thus, to determine genetic relatedness among those species, phylogenetic analysis [based on simple sequence repeat (SSR)–anchored (also termed ISSR), and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers] was conducted among PIs of P. fistulosus, Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (watermelon), C. lanatus var. citroides and the wild Citrullus colocynthis. Phylogenetic relationships were also examined with Cucumis melo (melon), Cucumis sativus (cucumber), and wild Cucumis species including C. africanus, C. metuliferus, C. anguria, C. meeusei, and C. zeyheri. Wide genetic distance exists between Citrullus and Cucumis groups (8% genetic similarity). Phylogenetic relationships among Citrullus species and subspecies are closer (25–55% genetic similarity) as compared with those among most Cucumis species (14–68% genetic similarity). P. fistulosus appeared to be distant from both Cucumis and Citrullus species (genetic similarity between P. fistulosus and Cucumis or Citrullus groups is less than 3%). Although wide genetic differences and reproductive barriers exist among cucurbit species examined in this study, they are still considered as potential germplasm source for enhancing watermelon and melon crops using traditional breeding and biotechnology procedures.

Root-knot nematodes [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, and Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood] are serious pests of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus] in the southern United States and worldwide. Watermelon cultivars with resistance to any of these nematode pests are not available. Therefore, we evaluated all accessions of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.(21) and Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. citroides (L.H. Bailey) Mansf.(88), and about 10% of C. lanatus var. lanatus (156) accessions from the U.S. Plant Introduction (PI) Citrullus germplasm collection for resistance to M. arenaria race 1 in greenhouse tests. Only one C. lanatus var. lanatus accession exhibited very low resistance [root gall index (GI) = 4.9] and 155 C. lanatus var. lanatus accessions were susceptible (GI ranged from 5.0 to 9.0, where 1 = no galls and 9 = ≥81% root system covered with galls). All C. colocynthis accessions were highly susceptible (GI range = 8.5 to 9.0). However, 20 of 88 C. lanatus var. citroides accessions were moderately resistant with a GI range of 3.1 to 4.0; overall GI range for the C. lanatus var. citroides accessions was 3.1 to 9.0. Resistance to M. arenaria race 1 identified in the C. lanatus var. citroides accessions was confirmed on a subset of accessions in a replicated greenhouse test. The results of our evaluations demonstrated that there is significant genetic variability within the U.S. PI Citrullus germplasm collection for resistance to M. arenaria race 1 and also identified C. lanatus var. citroides accessions as potential sources of resistance.

Several species of root-knot nematodes [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood, M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood, and M. hapla Chitwood] are major pests of peppers (Capsicum spp.) in the United States and worldwide. Resistance to M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. javanica has been identified in several Capsicum accessions, but there are few reports of resistance to M. hapla. Therefore, we selected a 10% core (440 accessions) of the 14 available Capsicum spp. in the Capsicum germplasm collection (3,731 accessions) maintained by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), and evaluated this core for resistance to M. hapla in unreplicated greenhouse tests. The 11 best (most resistant) and the 3 worst (most susceptible) accessions identified in these unreplicated tests were re-evaluated in a replicated greenhouse test. Seven of these 11 “best” accessions (PI 357613, PI 357503, PI 439381, PI 297493, PI 430490, PI 267729, and PI 441676) exhibited root gall severity indices M. hapla eggs were extracted per gram of fresh root tissue and the reproductive index was >1.0 for each of these accessions. These observations suggest that the most resistant accessions tested are somewhat susceptible to M. hapla. The results of our evaluation of a core of the USDA Capsicum germplasm collection demonstrates clearly that there is significant genetic variability within the overall collection for M. hapla resistance. Additionally, these results identify portions of the collection where future evaluations for M. hapla resistance should be focused. For example, the origin of the two most promising C. annuum accessions (PI 357613 and PI 357503) in the core was Yugoslavia. Thus, additional accessions from this temperate region of the world should receive priority attention in any effort to identify better sources of resistance in C. annuum to M. hapla.

Expression of the N gene, which confers resistance to southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita Kofoid and White) in bell pepper ((Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum (Grossum Group)), is modified at high temperatures (28 °C and 32 °C), but its expression in the heterozygous condition (Nn) has not been documented at moderate or high temperatures. Responses of the near-isogenic bell pepper cultivars, Charleston Belle and Keystone Resistant Giant (differing at the N locus), and the F1 and reciprocal F1 crosses between these cultivars to M. incognita race 3 were determined at 24, 28, and 32 °C in growth chamber experiments. 'Keystone Resistant Giant' (nn) was susceptible at 24, 28, and 32 °C. 'Charleston Belle' (NN) exhibited high resistance at 24 °C and resistance was partially lost at 28 and 32 °C. However, at 32 °C root gall and egg mass severity indices for 'Charleston Belle' were still in the resistant range, and the number of M. incognita eggs per gram fresh root and reproductive index were 97% and 90% less, respectively, than for 'Keystone Resistant Giant'. Responses of the F1 and F1 reciprocal hybrid populations to M. incognita were similar to the response of the resistant parent at all temperatures. Root fresh weights and top dry weights indicated that both hybrid populations tolerated M. incognita infections at least as well as 'Charleston Belle'. These findings indicate that i) only one of the parental inbred lines needs to be converted to the NN genotype to produce F1 hybrid cultivars with fully functional N-type resistance to M. incognita; and ii) cytoplasmic factors are not involved in expression of N-type resistance and the resistant parental inbred can used to equal advantage as either the paternal or the maternal parent. F1 hybrid (Nn) bell pepper cultivars. The utility of F1 hybrids heterozygous for the N gene will depend on expression of resis- tance to M. incognita, especially at high temperatures. However, expression of the N gene in the heterozygous (Nn) condition has not been evaluated at any temperature. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to 1) determine expression of resistance to M. incognita conferred by the homozygous (NN) and heterozygous (Nn) conditions of the N locus at moderate and high temperatures, and 2) determine whether there are any cytoplasmic effects on expression of the N gene in F1 bell pepper hybrids.

Greenhouse experiments determined the inheritance of resistance to the peanut root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 1] in Capsicum chinense Jacq. germplasm lines PA-353 and PA-426. Evaluation of parental, F1, F2, and backcross populations of the crosses PA-353 × PA-350 and PA-426 × PA-350 (PA-350 is a susceptible cultigen) indicated that resistance in both C. chinense germplasm lines was conditioned by a single dominant gene. Evaluation of the F1 × resistant parent backcross populations in the cytoplasm of their respective resistant and susceptible parents indicated that the cytoplasm of the resistant parent is not needed for full expression of resistance. Allelism tests indicated that the dominant resistance gene in both PA-353 and PA-426 is allelic to a resistance gene in C. annuum L. `Carolina Cayenne'. However, these allelism tests did not demonstrate conclusively that the M. arenaria race 1 resistance gene in C. chinense is the N gene that conditions resistance to the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood] in C. annuum. The ease and reliability of evaluating plants for resistance to root-knot nematodes and the availability of simply inherited sources of resistance makes breeding for peanut root-knot nematode resistance a viable objective in C. chinense breeding programs.

Two isogenic sets of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) lines (differing at the N root-knot nematode resistance locus) were characterized for resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood races 1 and 2, M. hapla Chitwood, and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood in greenhouse and growth chamber tests. The isogenic sets of C. annuum were 'Charleston Belle' (NN) and 'Keystone Resistant Giant' ( nn-recurrent parent), and 'Carolina Wonder' ( NN) and 'Yolo Wonder B' ( nn- recurrent parent). Meloidogyne arenaria race 1 is pathogenic to C. annuum. 'Charleston Belle' and 'Carolina Wonder' exhibited high resistance to M. arenaria race 1. Their respective recurrent backcross parents, 'Keystone Resistant Giant' and 'Yolo Wonder B', were susceptible to M. arenaria. Meloidogyne arenaria race 2 and M. javanica are not highly pathogenic to pepper. However, 'Charleston Belle' and 'Carolina Wonder' both exhibited higher ( P ≤ 0.05) resistance to M. arenaria race 2 and M. javanica than 'Keystone Resistant Giant' and 'Yolo Wonder B'. Meloidogyne hapla is pathogenic to pepper. Both 'Charleston Belle' and 'Carolina Wonder' and their respective recurrent parents, 'Keystone Resistant Giant' and 'Yolo Wonder B', were susceptible to M. hapla. We concluded that the N gene confers resistance to M. arenaria races 1 and 2, and M. javanica in C. annuum, but the N gene does not condition resistance to M. hapla. 'Santanka xS' and '405B Mexico' was conditioned by a single dominant gene which was designated the N gene. Hare (1966) backcrossed the N gene into pimiento pepper, and subsequently released the M. incognita-resistant pimiento pepper cultivar, 'Mississippi Nemaheart'. Resistance to M. incognita in 'Carolina Cayenne' is also conferred by the N gene and an additional recessive gene (Fery and Dukes, 1996). Recently, 'Charleston Belle' and 'Carolina Wonder', the first bell pepper cultivars with resistance to M. incognita, were developed and released by scientists at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Charleston, S.C. (Fery et al., 1998). Both of these open-pollinated cultivars are homozygous for the N gene. These cultivars provide a feasible alternative to preplant fumigation of soil with methyl bromide for managing the southern root-knot nematode, M. incog- nita, in bell pepper plantings. However, the reaction of these resistant cultivars to the other major species of root-knot nematodes will be important in making cultivar recommendations and in designing cropping systems to manage the four major species of root-knot nematodes. The purpose of these studies was to deter- mine whether the N gene confers resistance to M. arenaria races 1 and 2, M. hapla, and M. javanica in two sets of isogenic lines of C. annuum that differ in the presence or absence of the N gene.

Two root-knot nematode-resistant bell pepper cultivars, ‘Charleston Belle’ and ‘Carolina Wonder’ (Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum], and their susceptible parents, ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ and ‘Yolo Wonder B’, were compared for managing the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White] in fall and spring tests at Citra, FL. In the fall test, ‘Charleston Belle’ and ‘Carolina Wonder’ exhibited minimal root galling and nematode reproduction, and ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ and ‘Yolo Wonder B’ exhibited severe root galling and high nematode reproduction. Fruit yield of ‘Charleston Belle’ was 97% greater than yields of the two susceptible cultivars (P ≤ 0.006). In the spring test, one-half of the plots were treated with methyl bromide/chloropicrin before planting the same four bell pepper cultivars. ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ and ‘Yolo Wonder B’ grown in untreated control plots exhibited severe root galling and high nematode reproduction, but the other six cultivar × methyl bromide combinations exhibited minimal root galling and nematode reproduction. Although soil temperatures (10-cm depth) were greater than 30 °C on 78 days and 57 days during the Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 trials, respectively, resistance did not break in ‘Charleston Belle’ and ‘Carolina Wonder’ in either test. These results demonstrate that root-knot nematode-resistant cultivars such as Charleston Belle and Carolina Wonder are viable alternatives to methyl bromide for managing southern root-knot nematode in bell pepper in sub-tropical environments.

Greenhouse tests were conducted to compare the levels of resistance to the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood] exhibited by recently released Capsicum chinense Jacq. Scotch Bonnet-type germplasm lines PA-353, PA-398, and PA-426 to the levels of resistance exhibited by C. annuum L. `Carolina Cayenne' and `Mississippi Nemaheart'; to determine the inheritance of the resistance in C. chinense germplasm line PA-426; and to determine the genetic relationship between the resistances exhibited by C. chinense germplasm line PA-426 and C. annuum `Carolina Cayenne'. The results of a replicated test indicated that the level of resistances exhibited by the resistant released C. chinense germplasm lines is equal to the level of resistances exhibited by the resistant C. annuum cultivars. Evaluation of parental, F1, F2, and backcross populations of the cross PA-426 × PA-350 (a susceptible Habanero-type C. chinense cultigen) indicated that the resistance in C. chinense is conditioned by a single dominant gene. The results of an allelism test indicated that this dominant gene is allelic to the dominant gene that conditions much of the southern root-knot nematode resistance in the C. annuum `Carolina Cayenne'. The ease and reliability of evaluating plants for resistance to root-knot nematode and the availability of a simply inherited source of outstanding resistance makes breeding for southern root-knot nematode resistance a viable objective in C. chinense breeding programs.

Heat stability of the N gene that confers resistance to the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), was determined at 24, 28, and 32°C. Responses of resistant bell pepper cultivars Charleston Belle and Carolina Wonder (homozygous for the N gene) and their respective susceptible recurrent backcross parents, `Keystone Resistant Giant' and `Yolo Wonder B', to M. incognita were compared. Numbers of eggs/g fresh root, reproductive factor of M. incognita, numbers of second-stage juveniles in soil, egg mass production, and root galling increased (P < 0.05) for all cultivars as temperature increased. The response of the resistant cultivars to temperature increase was less dramatic than the response of the susceptible cultivars. Both `Charleston Belle' and `Carolina Wonder' exhibited a partial loss of resistance at 28 and 32 °C. Reproduction of M. incognita was minimal on the resistant cultivars at 24 °C, but increased at higher temperatures. However, at 32 °C reproduction of M. incognita on the resistant cultivars was only 20% of that on the susceptible cultivars and root gall indices were within the range considered moderately resistant. Unlike the susceptible cultivars, the shoot dry weights of the resistant cultivars were not suppressed at 32 °C. This suggests that `Charleston Belle' and `Carolina Wonder' may be somewhat tolerant to M. incognita at high soil temperatures. Although results indicate a partial loss of resistance occurred in `Charleston Belle' and `Carolina Wonder' under high soil temperatures, resistant cultivars may be a useful component of cropping systems designed to manage M. incognita in hot climates.

Scotch Bonnet and Habanero peppers, extremely pungent cultivar classes of Capsicum chinense Jacq., are increasing in popularity in the United States. Because the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, is a major pest of many C. annuum cultivars, a series of greenhouse and field experiments was conducted to determine if Scotch Bonnet and Habanero peppers from available commercial and private sources also are vulnerable to the pest. In an initial greenhouse test, a collection of 59 C. chinense cultigens was evaluated for reaction to M. incognita race 3. All cultigens obtained from commercial sources were moderately susceptible or susceptible. However, four accessions obtained through Seed Savers Exchange listings exhibited high levels of resistance. Three of these cultigens (PA-353, PA-398, and PA-426) were studied in subsequent greenhouse and field plantings, and each was confirmed to have a level of resistance similar to that available in C. annuum. All three of the resistant cultigens are well-adapted and each is potentially useful in commercial production without further development. None of the Habanero cultigens was resistant to the southern root-knot nematode. The resistant Scotch Bonnet cultigens may serve as sources of resistance for development of root-knot nematode—resistant Habanero peppers.

The southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood] is a serious pest of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Currently, methyl bromide is used for nematode control, but the pending withdrawal of this fumigant from the United States market has resulted in a need for effective alternative root-knot nematode management measures. We evaluated the effectiveness of resistance of `Carolina Cayenne' relative to the susceptible genotypes `Early Calwonder' and PA-136 in greenhouse, microplot, and field studies. In all tests, `Carolina Cayenne' exhibited exceptionally high resistance (minimal galling, minimal nematode reproduction, and no yield reduction) to M. incognita; `Early Calwonder' and PA-136 were highly susceptible. In a test conducted in a heavily infested field, `Carolina Cayenne' outyielded PA-136 by 339%. The exceptionally high resistance exhibited by `Carolina Cayenne' provides an alternative to methyl bromide and other fumigant nematicides for managing root-knot nematodes in pepper.

Root-knot nematode-resistant `Charleston Belle' bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum) and metam sodium treatment were evaluated for managing the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White] in fall-cropped cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). `Charleston Belle' and its susceptible recurrent parent, `Keystone Resistant Giant', were planted as spring crops at Blackville, S.C., and Tifton, Ga. `Charleston Belle' exhibited high resistance and `Keystone Resistant Giant' was susceptible at both locations. After termination of the bell pepper crop, one-half of the plots were treated with metam sodium delivered through the drip irrigation system. Cucumber yields and numbers of fruit were highest for cucumber grown in plots treated with metam sodium following either `Charleston Belle' or `Keystone Resistant Giant'; however, root gall severity and numbers of M. incognita eggs in the roots were lowest for cucumber grown in plots treated with metam sodium following `Charleston Belle'. Conversely, root gall severity and nematode reproduction were highest for cucumber grown in plots following `Keystone Resistant Giant' without metam sodium treatment. Application of metam sodium through the drip irrigation system following a spring crop of root-knot nematode-resistant bell pepper should reduce severity of root galling and reproduction of M. incognita as well as increase fruit yield of fall-cropped cucumber.

Resistance of two sets of bell pepper [(Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum (Grossum Group)] cultivars near-isogenic for the N gene that conditions resistance to root-knot nematodes [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White, M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood races 1 and 2, and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood] was evaluated in field tests at Blackville, S.C. and Charleston, S.C. The isogenic bell pepper sets were `Charleston Belle' (NN) and `Keystone Resistant Giant' (nn), and `Carolina Wonder' (NN) and `Yolo Wonder B' (nn). The resistant cultivars Charleston Belle and Carolina Wonder were highly resistant; root galling was minimal for both cultivars at both test sites. The susceptible cultivars Keystone Resistant Giant and Yolo Wonder B were highly susceptible; root galling was severe at both test sites. `Charleston Belle' had 96.9% fewer eggs per g fresh root than `Keystone Resistant Giant', and `Carolina Wonder' had 98.3% fewer eggs per g fresh root than `Yolo Wonder B' (averaged over both test sites). `Charleston Belle' and `Carolina Wonder' exhibited a high level of resistance in field studies at both sites. These results demonstrate that resistance conferred by the N gene for root-knot nematode resistance is effective in field-planted bell pepper. Root-knot nematode resistant bell peppers should provide economical and environmentally compatible alternatives to methyl bromide and other nematicides for managing M. incognita.

Received for publication 7 Jan. 2002. Accepted for publication 25 Mar. 2002. The technical assistance of F.P. Maguire and E.L. Corley is gratefully acknowledged. Research Geneticist. Research Plant Pathologist. ‘Charleston Nemagreen’ is a new southernpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] released on 1 Aug. 2001 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. ‘Charleston Nemagreen’ is the first greencotyledon phenotype southernpea to be released with resistance to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne sp.). The new cultivar is well adapted for production throughout the southeastern United States, and can be expected to produce excellent yields of cream-type southernpeas. ‘Charleston Nemagreen’ is recommended for use by the frozen food industry and home gardeners.

The root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filipjev & Schuurmans Stekhoven, can reduce the establishment and productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the northeastern and northcentral USA and in eastern Canada. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of fallow and delayed seeding date, carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) treatment, and plant resistance on P. penetrans populations in alfalfa roots and on alfalfa stand establishment and plant growth (...)

Most forage crops are hosts for the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filipjev & Schur-Stekhoven. The objective of this research was to compare the preference of P. penetrans for two alfalfas (Medicago sativa L.) and 14 forage grasses or small grains when grown in binary (two species) mixtures. The two alfalfas included the susceptible cultivar Baker, and MNGRN-16, an experimental population with field resistance to P. penetrans. The grasses included 12 species: barley (Hordeum vulgare L,), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), oat (Avena sativa L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), quackgrass [Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski], reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Two seedlings of each grass entry and one alfalfa seedling were planted into a polyethylene tube containing a 1:1 sand/soil mixture. Eight tubes (replicates) were each inoculated with 90 nematodes; non-inoculated tubes were used as controls. Six weeks after inoculation, fresh root weight and dry shoot weight were recorded and numbers of nematodes in the roots were determined by staining with acid fuchsin. Among the grasses, the oat, reed canarygrass, and quackgrass had the greatest number of nematodes, whereas pearl millet, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and timothy had the least. Alfalfa was the preferred host of P. penetrans when grown in combination with grasses. Baker and MNGRN-16 alfalfa each supported 75% of the total number of nematodes compared with all grass-alfalfa combinations. These results suggest possibilities for developing cropping systems including forage species that can tolerate or reduce root-lesion nematode populations. Joint contribution of the USDA-ARS and Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn., Paper no. 17 340. Scientific Journal Series, Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn.

Four pepper genotypes classified as resistant and four pepper genotypes classified as susceptible to several avirulent populations of M. incognita were compared for their reactions against a population of Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White which had been shown to be virulent to resistant bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) in preliminary tests. The virulent population of M. incognita originated from a commercial bell pepper field in California. The resistant pepper genotypes used in all experiments were the Capsicum annuum cultivars Charleston Belle, Carolina Wonder, and Carolina Cayenne, and the C. chinense cultigen PA-426. The susceptible pepper genotypes used in the experiments were the C. annuum cultivars Keystone Resistant Giant, Yolo Wonder B, California Wonder, and the C. chinense cultigen PA-350. Root gall indices (GI) were ≥ 3.0 for all genotypes in both tests except for PA-426 (GI=2.57) in test 1 and ‘Carolina Cayenne’ (GI=2.83) in test 2. Numbers of eggs per gram fresh root weight ranged from 20,635 to 141,319 and reproductive indices ranged from 1.20 to 27.2 for the pepper genotypes in both tests, indicating that all eight pepper genotypes tested were susceptible to the M. incognita population used in these tests. The M. incognita population used in these studies overcame resistance conferred by the N gene in all resistant genotypes of both C. annuum and C. chinense.

A 3-year field study was conducted at Blackville, S.C., to evaluate the potential of using resistant pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars as a rotation crop for managing the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood]. The experiment was a split-plot with main plots arranged in a randomized complete-block design. In 1993, the entire experimental site was infested with M. incognita by inoculating a planting of susceptible PA-136 cayenne pepper with eggs of M. incognita race 3. In 1994, the main plots were planted to either highly resistant `Carolina Cayenne' or its susceptible sibling line PA-136. In 1995, `Carolina Cayenne' and the susceptible bell cultivars California Wonder and Keystone Resistant Giant were grown as subplots in each of the original main plots. `Carolina Cayenne' plants were unaffected by the previous crop. Previous cropping history, however, had a significant impact on the performance of the bell cultivars; the mean galling response was less (P < 0.01) and the yield was 2.8 times greater (P < 0.01) in the main plots previously cropped with `Carolina Cayenne' than in those previously cropped with PA-136. These results suggest that resistant pepper cultivars have considerable merit as a rotation crop for managing M. incognita infestations in soils used for growing high-value vegetables.

PA-566 is a new pimento-type pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) released 30 Apr. 2010 by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. PA566 is the product of a backcross breeding program to incorporate the N root-knot nematode resistance gene into a ‘Pimiento L’type genetic background. ‘Pimiento L’ is a root-knot nematode-susceptible, pimentotype cultivar that is widely grown in the southern states where it can produce good yields under high-temperature conditions. The dominant N gene conditions a high level of resistance to the southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White], the peanut root-knot nematode [M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood], and the tropical root-knot nematode [M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood]. The release of PA-566 will provide pepper breeders interested in developing both open-pollinated and F1 hybrid pimentotype cultivars access to a near-cultivar quality parental line that is homozygous for the N root-knot nematode resistance gene.