Effectiveness of resistance to southern root-knot nematode in 'Carolina Cayenne' pepper in greenhouse, microplot, and field tests

Abstract

The southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood] is a serious pest of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Currently, methyl bromide is used for nematode control, but the pending withdrawal of this fumigant from the United States market has resulted in a need for effective alternative root-knot nematode management measures. We evaluated the effectiveness of resistance of 'Carolina Cayenne' relative to the susceptible genotypes 'Early Calwonder' and PA-136 in greenhouse, microplot, and field studies. In all tests, 'Carolina Cayenne' exhibited exceptionally high resistance (minimal galling, minimal nematode reproduction, and no yield reduction) to M. incognita; 'Early Calwonder' and PA-136 were highly susceptible. In a test conducted in a heavily infested field, 'Carolina Cayenne outyielded PA-136 by 339%. The exceptionally high resistance exhibited by Carolina Cayenne provides an alternative to methyl bromide and other fumigant nematicides for managing root-knot nematodes in pepper.