Resistance to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) in Capsicum spp. accessions

Abstract

Meloidogyne enterolobii has become one of the major constraints in Capsicum field crop, especially because genes conferring resistance to others Meloidogyne sp. are not effective against M. enterolobii. This study aimed to identify resistant Capsicum spp. accessions to nematode M. enterolobii and to classify the accessions according to resistance degree. Thirty-nine accessions of the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) gene bank were evaluated, being 12 accessions of C. annuum, 11 C. chinense, ten C. baccatum and six C. frutescens. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with ten replications and one plant per plot. The inoculation was carried out 20 days after germination being inoculated 500 eggs per plant and evaluation conducted after 75 days. Reproduction factor and reproduction index were determined, and accessions were classified according to resistance degree to the nematode. There were significant differences among the accessions tested in relation to the traits evaluated, indicating the existence of variability among and within species of Capsicum. Only UENF 1730 (C. chinense) accession was considered resistant.