Resistance sources to root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita and M. enterolobii in sweet potato

ABSTRACT One of the main obstacles for food production in many developing countries, as in Brazil, is the damage caused by root-knot nematodes, mainly those belonging to the genus Meloidogyne. This study aimed to assess the resistance levels of 44 sweet potato genotypes to M. javanica, M. incognita race 1 and M. enterolobii. These researches were carried out in 2014, under greenhouse conditions in Brasília-DF, Brazil. A completely randomized design with six replicates of one plant/plot/treatment was used. We determined the gall index (GI) and egg mass index (EMI) in the root system of each plant, the number of eggs and juveniles per gram of root with galls and the nematode reproduction factor. M. javanica was less aggressive and reproduced in only 9.09% of the evaluated genotypes; M. incognita race 1 was intermediate (47.73%); whereas M. enterolobii was more aggressive, with a population increase in 79.55% of the genotypes. The genotypes CNPH 1200, CNPH 1219, CNPH 1292, CNPH 1392, CNPH 60 and ‘Coquinho’ were the most resistant to the three species and can be used in breeding programs for multiple resistance to root-knot nematodes.