Selection of virulence in Meloidogyne chitwoodi to resistance in the wild potato Solanum fendleri

The possibilities of selecting virulence from a virtually avirulent root-knot nematode population towards resistance in wild potato have been investigated. Single egg masses of Meloidogyne chitwoodi, which had occasionally been produced on roots of resistant Solanum fendleri gave rise to eight lines after one generation on tomato. Five lines were able to circumvent completely the resistance of S. fendleri 93-114-12 resulting in a susceptible response similar to that of the control potato cv Nicola. Subsequently, a resistance test with other resistant genotypes of S. fendleri, S. bulbocastanum, S. stoloniferum and S. hougasii revealed that the virulent lines were also able to break through the resistance in most other species, but clear differences were noticed between the virulent lines. The results suggest a simple inheritance of virulence in M. chitwoodi towards resistance in S. fendleri. However, more virulence factors are involved to explain the differences on the other Solanum species between the virulent lines. The implications of the ease to select virulence with respect to the practical use of resistance in potato breeding and growing are discussed.