Resistant Pepper Carrying N, Me1, and Me3 have Different Effects on Penetration and Reproduction of Four Major Meloidogyne species

Root-knot nematode ( spp.) exhibits a substantial problem in pepper production, causing reduction in yield throughout the world. Continued assessment for root-knot resistance is important for developing new resistance cultivars. In this study, the effect of and genes on the penetration and reproduction of race 3 race 1, and was examined under controlled greenhouse conditions using susceptible and resistant pepper lines/cultivars (Mellow Star, Yolo Wonder B, Charleston Belle, HDA-149, HDA-330, PM-217, and PM-687) differing in the presence or absence of resistant genes. The penetration and resistance responses of these pepper lines differed depending on the nematode species. More second-stage juveniles penetrated roots of susceptible control cultivar Mellow Star than roots of resistant cultivars/lines. Although, there was no significant difference in the nematode penetration among resistant lines 1 and 3 days after inoculation (DAI), variability in the penetration of , , and was observed 5 DAI. This demonstrates the variability among different nematode resistance genes to invasion by spp. Based on nematode gall index (GI) and reproduction factor (RF), Charleston Belle, HDA-149, PM-217 and PM-687 showed very high resistance (GI < 1 and RF < 0.1) to , , and . Although, all the -resistant pepper lines evaluated were resistant to and the susceptible cultivar Mellow Star was a good host for all nematode species having an RF ranging from 8.1 to 34.7. The , and genes controlled resistance to reproduction of all species of examined.