Evaluation of Prunus rootstocks for root-lesion nematode resistance

Abstract

Fourteen Prunus rootstocks were evaluated against mixtures of several isolates of the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus Allen and Jensen in three greenhouse experiments. Most of the tested rootstocks are new releases or materials in advanced stages of selection that also have incorporated root-knot nematode resistance. The plums Torinel (Prunus domestica L.) and Redglow (P. salicina Lindl. x P. munsoniana Wight and Hedrick cv. Jewel) showed a moderately resistant response; their final nematode population levels were lower or slightly higher than inoculation levels. Low nematode reproduction also was found in the peach-almond hybrid G x N No 22 [P. persica (L.) Batsch x P. dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] and the plum Bruce (P. salicina x P. angustifolia Marsh.), and although these rootstocks did not perform as well as Torinel and Redglow, they also appear to be poor hosts for P. vulnus.