IDENTIFICATION OF NOVELROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA) RESISTANT TOMATO GENOTYPES

A. H. El- Sappah^1,2*, M. M. Islam³, S. A. Rather⁴, J. Li^1†, K. Yan¹, Z. Xianming¹, Yan Liang^3*and M. Abbas^1*

¹ College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, 7

Sichuan 644000, Chaina; ²Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt; ³College of Horticulture, Northwest A &F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi P. R., China; ⁴College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi P. R., China;

*Corresponding author’s email: ahmed_elsappah2006@yahoo.com, , liangyan@nwsuaf.edu.cn, abbas2472@hotmail.com

^†Ahmed H. El-Sappah and Jia Li have contributed equally.

ABSTRACT

Root-knot nematode is one of the most serious causes of biotic stress that negatively affect tomato production in China. The robust methodology to overcome this problem is growing resistant cultivars. This study's core purpose is to identify new root-knot nematode (RKN) resistant tomato genotypes out of all 13 available under controlled environmental conditions. After nematode inoculation; morphological, biochemical, and molecular analysis were performed. We observed obvious phenotypic changes in plant height, root length, and root dry weight among all13 genotypes. In comparison with control, nematode infection caused significant halt in plant height in all susceptible genotypes. Three genotypes M3, M7, and M11 were recorded with the lowest values of root gall index and reproduction index. These three genotypes displayed the significantly highest level of resistance compounds; total phenol, ortho-dihydroxy phenol, IAA oxidase, chlorogenic acid, and ascorbic acid contents as compared to the susceptible M82 genotype. Following six molecular markers Mint-1, C&B, TG180, REX-1, JB-1, and Mi23were employed to amplify Mi-genes. Only Mint-1marker successfully amplified a 622bp fragment in M3, M7, and M11genotypes. These findings proved that M3, M7, and M11 harbour root-knot nematode resistance gene Mi 1.1. So, we recommend only M3, M7, and M11 genotypes of tomato for future cultivation to avoid losses caused by RKN infection.