Developing a Technique to Screen Peach Stem Cuttings for Nematode Resistance

Abstract

Research was done on developing a more precise technique to screen peach cultivars for root-knot nematode resistance, utilizing semi-hardwood peach cuttings. ‘Nemaguard,’ ‘Rutgers Red Leaf,’ and ‘EarliGrande' stem cuttings were rooted, using Dr. Couvillons new technique for semi-hardwood cuttings. Over 90% of the cuttings rooted successfully. The rooted cuttings were then inoculated with 2 egg concentrations of Meloidogyne incognita nematodes (100 and 5000 eggs/9cm pot). ‘Nemaguard’ was used to try to determine what concentration of eggs would overwhelm a resistant stock. ‘Rutgers Red Leaf’ was used to determine what would be the smallest amount to affect a susceptible stock. ‘EarliGrande’ was selected as an unknown. Results show that neither ‘Rutgers Red Leaf’ or ‘Nemaguard’ are affected by treatments of 5000 eggs or less. While, ‘EarliGrande’ showed signs of infection at the 5,000 egg level.