EVALUATION OF TOMATO GENOTYPES FOR RESISTANCE TO ROOT-KNOT

NEMATODES

F. JAITEH, C. KWOSEH1 and R. AKROMAH1

National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) – PMB 526, Serrekunda, The Gambia

1Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

Corresponding author: fjaiteh@nari.gm

ABSTRACT

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most popular vegetable crops worldwide, owing to its high

nutritive value and diversified use. Tomato production in Ghana is threatened by plant parasitic nematodes,

especially the root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), which are responsible for huge economic yield losses.

The losses, however, can be averted through use of resistant varieties. A study was conducted to evaluate tomato

genotypes reaction to root-knot nematodes. Five inoculum levels, 100, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 root-knot

nematode eggs per 1.6 litres of soil per pot were inoculated on tomato seedlings. A total of 33 genotypes were

screened for resistance to Meloidogyne spp. Nine tomato genotypes were collected from Burkina Faso, eight

from Vietnam, seven from the United States of America, three genotypes from South Africa, and six from local

agro-dealers and farmers in Ghana. The genotypes were screened in pots and the field for host resistance to

Meloidogyne spp. The 1500 eggs per plant inoculation level resulted in the highest number of eggs, juveniles and

fresh root weight. Among the 33 genotypes screened, Tomato Mongal T-11 and Tomato Beef Master were found

to be highly resistant to Meloidogyne spp. and also recorded the lowest reproductive factors of 0.71 and 0.53,

respectively.

Key Words: Ghana, host resistance, Meloidogyne sp., Solanum lycopersicum