Genetic and Biotechnological Studies, on Resistance to Root Knot Nematode in Pepper ( Capsicum spp.)

Abstract

Seven pepper parental germplasm (Capsicum annuum L) I.e. California Wonder, Yellow Wax, Aswany, Murch, Domalik Buber, Mirch and No.4791 were used in making non-reciprocal diallel pattern of crosses to study the genetics and nature of resistance to the root knot nematode. Seeds of the parental genotypes Murch, Domalik Buber, Mirch, No.4791, California Wonder, and Yellow Wax were kindly provided by University of Georgia, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, U.S.A., while seeds of the line Aswany was attained from the germplasm preservation laboratory ; Faculty of Agriculture Moshtohor, Zagazig University, Benha Branch.

The pepper cultivar California Wonder is known to be susceptible to root knot nematode. However, the other cultivars, Murch, Domalik Buber, Mirch and No.4791 are known to be resistant, to the root known nematode. While the parental line Aswany and parental cultivars Yellow Wax have not been

evaluated for resistances to the root knot nematode.

Meloidogyne incognita race I, kindly provided by Prof. Dr. Ashraf Afia, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Nematology, Cairo University, was used in evaluating the different pepper genotypes for resistance to root knot nematode.