Reaction of lima bean accessions to Meloidogyne javanica

ABSTRACT Lima bean is one of the most popular leguminous plants in northeastern Brazil, with a strong socioeconomic influence on the regional communities. However, the low yield related to biotic and abiotic factors limits the increase in production. Among the biological agents, root-knot nematodes compromise its vegetative and productive development. In order to select genotypes resistant to Meloidogyne javanica, an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse and in a laboratory, in a completely randomized design, with fifteen lima bean accessions and five replicates. The reaction of lima bean accessions was evaluated through the infectivity and reproduction of M. javanica, as well as the main agronomic traits of the crop. A variation was observed in the resistance level among the accessions, with Lavandeira preta, Orelha de vó and Fava cearense being rated as very resistant, while Lavandeira vermelha was slightly resistant and the remaining accessions were all rated as susceptible.