Resistance screening of lentil cultivars against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Summary The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is a major soil parasite of lentil crops. Increasing restrictions of chemical nematicides have triggered a growing attention and interest in alternate root-knot nematode management. The present study was conducted to examine the level of resistance and/or susceptibility of five lentil cultivars (PL-456, KLS-218, Desi, DPL-62, Malika), grown in pots, against the root-knot nematode M. incognita . Root-knot nematode reproduction and host damage were assessed by recording the nematode infestation levels and reduction percentage of plant growth parameters. Nematode response and plant growth differentiated amongst the lentil cultivars. None of the cultivars was found immune or highly resistant. The cultivar Malika was found moderately resistant as it showed the lowest number of galls and egg masses/root as well as the lowest reduction of plant fresh weight (10.4%) and dry weight (6.9%). On the other hand, the cultivar Desi manifested the highest susceptibility exhibiting the highest number of galls and egg masses. There was a significantly negative correlation between the number of galls and plant growth parameters (plant fresh and dry weight and plant height).