Research Article

Investigation of reactions of some watermelon and melon genotypes and varieties to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 race 1 and Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) races 1 and 3

Volume: 49 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
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Investigation of reactions of some watermelon and melon genotypes and varieties to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 race 1 and Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) races 1 and 3

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes are important soil-borne pathogens that cause significant economic losses in the production of melons and watermelons. In Türkiye, particularly in the Çukurova region, research into identifying resistant genotypes against these pests has been limited. This study evaluated the reactions of 12 melon genotypes, 12 watermelon genotypes, and three commercial varieties of each crop against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 race 1, and Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) races 1 and 3. These experiments were conducted between 2017 and 2020 in collaboration with the Department of Plant Protection at the Faculty of Agriculture, Çukurova University, and the Biological Control Research Institute Directorate in the relevant laboratories and greenhouses. According to the results, all genotypes exhibited varying degrees of susceptibility to both nematode species and races, with no complete resistance observed. However, Kav-216 (melon) and Kar-96 (watermelon) showed partial tolerance, particularly against M. javanica races 1 and 3, with the lowest egg counts and gall indices recorded in these genotypes. These findings are consistent with previous international studies and suggest that Kav-216 and Kar-96 could serve as genetic resources in breeding programmes aimed at developing resistant rootstocks. This study makes an important contribution to breeding programmes focused on root-knot nematode resistance.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Türkiye, Project No: TAGEM/BSAD/A/18/A2/P1/421 and Çukurova University’s Project No: FDK-2017-9160.

Project Number

(TAGEM/BSAD/A/18/A2/P1/421)

Thanks

This study, derived from the PhD thesis of the first author, was supported by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Türkiye, under Project No: TAGEM/BSAD/A/18/A2/P1/421 and Çukurova University’s Project No: FDK 2017 9160. The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Prof. Dr. İlknur Solmaz and Prof. Dr. Nebahat Sarı, from the Department of Horticulture at Çukurova University, for providing the melon and watermelon genotypes used in this study.

References

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  8. Galatti, F. S., A. J. Franco, L. A. Ito, H. C. O. Charlo, L. A. Gaion & L. T. Braz, 2013. Rootstocks resistant to Meloidogyne incognita and compatibility of grafting in net melon. Revista Ceres, 60 (3): 432-436.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nematology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 49 Number: 3

APA
Dinçer, D., & Elekcioğlu, İ. H. (2025). Investigation of reactions of some watermelon and melon genotypes and varieties to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 race 1 and Meloidogyne javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) races 1 and 3. Turkish Journal of Entomology, 49(3), 337-347. https://doi.org/10.16970/entoted.1709773