Objectives
Handler Project - Objectives
Root-knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp .) are polyphagous phytopathogenic agents responsible for significant production losses worldwide. Rootstocks of several tomato cultivars are available to control edaphic diseases, but none are completely resistant to RKN. Their level of success in controlling these nematodes depends on RKN populations and soil temperature, and may inadvertently select these nematodes for greater virulence and species replacement in field conditions.
The project team intends to:
(i) test the adaptation of the four most common RKN species to various rootstock cultivars;
ii ) evaluate the effects of apparent competition between these nematode species;
iii ) evaluate the effects of ascarosides , communication compounds produced by RKN, as potential control tool.
This research will enhance the fundamental and applied knowledge of agroecology regarding plant-pathogen interactions and may result in new control strategies and could also be useful to complement predictive climate trends models.
Ultimately, our results will support informed decisions by seed and nursery growers and farmers in selecting and improving rootstocks so that they can protect crops from RKN attack.
