Identification of Meloidogyne enterolobii infecting root-knot nematode resistant sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) in South Carolina

Authors: Rutter, William; Skantar, Andrea; Handoo, Zafar; MUELLER, JOHN - Edisto Agriculture Research & Extension Center; AULTMAN, SHERRY - Clemson University; AGUDELO, PAULA - Clemson University

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/2019
Publication Date: 10/17/2019
Citation: Rutter, W.B., Skantar, A.M., Handoo, Z.A., Mueller, J., Aultman, S.P., Agudelo, P. 2019. Identification of Meloidogyne enterolobii infecting root-knot nematode resistant sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) in South Carolina. Plant Disease. 103(4):11. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-18-1388-PDN.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-18-1388-PDN

Interpretive Summary: The guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) is a highly virulent species of root-knot nematode which has been spreading across the Southeastern United States in recent years. This nematode poses a significant threat to both vegetable and agronomic crops because it is known to overcome many of the root-knot nematode resistant crop varieties that are normally used to control other species of root-knot nematode endemic to the southern United States. To date, this nematode has been reported in both Florida and North Carolina. In this manuscript we describe the first discovery of this nematode within the state of South Carolina. This discovery will help first responders and research scientists track the spread of this damaging pest, and could help in the deployment of new management efforts to areas where they are most needed.

Technical Abstract: Meloidogyne enterolobii (a.k.a. the guava root-knot nematode) is a highly polyphagous species that is reported to cause significant damage in a wide variety of crops worldwide. Although M. enterolobii is closely related to the Meloidogyne incognita group (MIG), it has a well-documented ability to overcome many crop resistance genes that are effective against the more cosmopolitan species endemic to the southeastern United States. In the continental U.S., M. enterolobii has been reported in Florida and more recently in North Carolina infecting root-knot nematode resistant varieties of cotton and soybean. Here we describe the first detection of this nematode within the state of South Carolina. A combination of morphometric and mitochondrial sequence data was used to make a species level identification and Koch's postulates were fulfilled by isolating and culturing the nematode on the resistant sweetpotato cultivar 'Covington'.