Evaluation of 15 Trifolium spp. and of Medicago sativa as hosts of four Meloidogyne spp. found in New Zealand

The predominant root-knot nematode in New Zealand pastures is Meloidogyne trifoliophila, identified until recently as M. hapla. Clarification was needed on the host range of these two species on legumes found in New Zealand pastures and on clover species closely related to Trifolium repens. In a greenhouse test, 15 Trifolium spp. and Medicago sativa were inoculated with eggs of M. trifoliophila, M. hapla, M. incognita, or M. javanica. All legumes tested were hosts to some degree to each of the root-knot nematodes used, except for T. striatum and M. sativa whose status as hosts to M. trifoliophila was doubtful. Low galling rates occurred on T. glomeratum infected by M. hapla (mean of 3% of the root system galled), on T. semipilosum infected by M. javanica (2%), on T. striatum infected by M. trifoliophila (2%), and on T. micranthum (4%) and M. sativa (6%) infected by M. incognita. The most heavily parasitized clovers were T. repens infected by M. trifoliophila (92%), T. pratense infected by M. incognita (91%), and T. argutum infected by M. incognita (88%)