Root-Knot Nematode Resistant Bell Peppers

The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), a biotrophic parasite of many crops, including tomato, cotton and coffee, is responsible for global agricultural losses amounting to more than US$ 150 billion annually. The ominpresent worm is usually controlled by applying methyl bromide, an odorless, colorless gas that has severe negative effects in the environment. The pesticide has been banned for use in the United States.

Scientists from the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) developed varieties of bell pepper resistant to the root-knot nematode. In a paper published by HortScience, a team of researchers led by Judy Thies tested the stability of the worm-resistant bell pepper varieties ‘Charleston Belle’ and ‘Carolina Wonder’. Good news for pepper growers: the scientists found out that the two varieties are viable alternatives to methyl bromide for managing southern root-knot nematode in sub-tropical environments. It is important to establish whether the peppers’ resistance to the nematode breaks down when they are grown in hot environments.

Read the abstract of the article at http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/1/188