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Root Knot Nematode reproduction and galling severity on thirteen vegetable

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Article · January 2007

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Proceedings:
International Symposium on
Prospects of Horticultural Industry in Pakistan
28th to 30th March, 2007
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

ROOT KNOT NEMATODE REPRODUCTION AND GALLING

SEVERITY ON THIRTEEN VEGETABLE CROPS
Safdar Ali Anwar*, Nazir Javed, Amjad Zia, Muhammad Kamran, Hussain and Makky Javed
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabd, Pakistan
*Email: safdar_uaf2006@yahoo.com

Abstract
The root knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica),
are widespread and serious pathogens of vegetables throughout the vegetable
production areas of Pakistan, impacting both the quantity and quality of
marketable yields. In addition, root-knot nematodes interaction with other plant
pathogens, result in increased damage caused by other diseases. The objective of
this study was to compare the RKN resistance or susceptibility of several
vegetable crops grown in the Punjab. The vegetable crops including bitter gourd,
carrot, chillies, cowpea, cucumber, eggplant, garden pea, okra, pumpkin,
spinach, sponge gourd, tomato, and turnip, were evaluated in a field naturally
infested with RKN. Two species of root knot nematode including Meloidogyne
incognita and M. javanica were identified on the basis of perineal patterns from
all the crops. Meloidogyne incognita was identified on 85% and M. javanica on
15% of total samples examined. The population of second stage juveniles in
soils and roots was variable depending on the type of crop and field sampled.
The incidence of RKN [Number of samples with RKN ÷ total samples × 100].
The RKN incidence was lowest (0%) on spinach and highest (95%) on
cucumber with an average of 57% on test crops. The root gall severity was
based on galling indices (GI) measured on 0 to 5 scales [0-GI = 0%; 1-GI =10 to
20%; 2-GI = 21 to 50%; 3-GI = 51 to 80%; 4-GI = 81 to 100%., 5-GI = > 100%]
on roots. The severity ranged from 0 to 100% with an average of 68%. The size
of galls varied from crop to crop. The gall size was small on roots of chilies,
large on roots of sponge gourd, and intermediate on roots all other 11 vegetable
crops. Our findings demonstrate that RKN is a damaging pathogen of
vegetables.

Key words: Galls, incidence, Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica, nematodes, severity

INTRODUCTION
Nematodes are tiny, thread-like eelworms belonging to phylum “Nematoda”. Twenty five
percent of nematodes are free-living saprophytes, which contains 90% microbial feeders preying
on bacteria, fungi, yeast and diatom. These nematodes cause biodegradation of toxic compounds
and play major role in recycling of nutrients (Freckman, 1988). Marine and fresh water nematodes
make 50%, whereas animal parasites are 15% which cause animal and human disease. The insect

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parasitic nematodes regulate the insect populations. Plant parasites are only 10% that can retard
plant growth and diminish yields.
The vegetable crops are attacked by several other than root knot nematodes including
spiral, Helicotylenchus spp.; columbia lance, Hoplolaimus spp.; cyst, Heterodera spp.; stunt,
Tylenchorhynchus spp.; dagger, Xiphenema spp.; false root knot, Nacobbus aberans; reniform,
Rotylenchulus reniformis; stem and bulb, Ditylenchus dipsaci; potato cyst, Globodera
rostochiensis and G. Pallida; root-lesion, Pratylenchus spp.; burrowing, Radopholus similis; sting,
Belonolaimus longicaudatus; needle, Longidorus, and stubby, Trichodorus spp. and
Paratrichodorus spp. Three nematode genera including Heterodera, Rotylenchulus, and
Globodera are sedentary, whereas most of the others are the migratory that are mobile in the soil
and move from feeding site to feeding site on the host plant.
The root knot nematode most damaging pest of vegetable crops will be focus of our
discussion. These nematodes are obligate sedentary-vascular endoparasites that feed on roots
resulting in the formation of galls or knots on plant roots. It becomes difficult for the galled roots
to take up water and other nutrients leading to stunted plant growth (Anwar and Din, 1986). There
are several pathogenic species of this nematode but the two most commonly found associated with
our vegetable crops in Pakistan are M. incognina (85%) and M. javanica (15%) (Anwar, 1989;
Maqbool et al., 1988).
Root Knot Nematode Behavior
The infectious stage of this nematode is the second stage juvenile (J2), which occurs free
in the soil. The J2 penetrates between and through cells to a position at the center of the root
usually near the growing tip and migrate to the vascular tissue, establish feeding sites and become
sedentary. An enzyme is released from esophageal glands, which causes the plant cells
surrounding the head region to enlarge, forming giant cells which serve as a source of nourishment
for the female root knot nematodes (Hussey and Mims, 1990). The female nematodes swell until
they become pear-shaped or oval by going through series of molts and enlarge. Mature females are
about 1/16 inch in size. Adult matured female deposits 300-500 eggs in a protective jelly-like
matrix at the root surface on the galls. After hatching, J2s over wintering stage, move a short
distance to locate a favorable plant root and begin feeding. Four weeks are required to complete
the life cycle, so several generations can develop in one cropping season.
Host Vegetable Crops
Eleven vegetable crops including bitter gourd, carrot, chilies, cow pea, cucumber, egg
plant, okra, garden pea, sponge gourd, pumpkin, and tomato have been found good host, whereas
spinach and turnip as poor host of root knot nematodes.
Symptoms
Root-knot nematode symptoms on plant roots are dramatic. As a result of nematode
feeding, large galls or "knots" can form throughout the root system of infected plants. Severe
infections result in reduced yields on numerous crops and can also affect consumer acceptance of
many plants (Roberts, 1987), including vegetables like carrot (Figure 1). The degree of root
galling generally depends on the magnitude of nematode population density, Meloidogyne species
and host plant species and even cultivar. Increase in the nematode population density in a field
results in an increase in the number of galls per root system. The roots of sponge gourd were
found with a gall index of 5 [=100% severity] with 35 per g of root. Generally the fast growing
annuals like sponge gourd exhibit large sized galls compared to woody perennials like chilies,
which had small hard galls (Figure 1).
Each vegetable crop responds differently to root-knot nematode infection (Figure 1).
Carrots typically undergo severe forking with galling predominantly found on lateral roots (Figure
1), Root-not nematode galls on sponge gourd, pumpkin are very large (Figure 1). On cow pea and
cucumber, galls are usually of medium size. Depending upon the root knot nematode incidence
and the severity of infection, these symptoms can often result in significant economic losses to
growers (Barker and Olthof, 1976).

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Damage
Root-knot nematodes damage crops by attacking the young root tips. Their entry and
feeding can stimulate visible galls within 15 days. These galls interfere with the roots ability to
absorb water and nutrients, and provide locations for other disease-producing organisms, such as
fungi or bacteria, to readily enter the plan (Powell, 1971). Most damage to crops results from the
physiological changes in the root tissue as root-knot nematodes feed. Giant cells formed during the
feeding process disrupt the development of the root's vascular system and impair the root's ability
to remove water and nutrients from the soil efficiently (Anwar and Din, 1986). Also, sugars and
carbohydrates produced in the leaves are diverted to the nematodes' feeding sites rather than to the
developing fruit (Anwar, 1995; McClure, 1977).
Plants with damaged root systems result in poor foliage growth and consequently yield is
reduced. The extent of damage ranges from no visible damage to significant damage depending on
the species and density of nematodes present, the susceptibility of the crop being grown, and
environmental conditions. Many plants can tolerate moderate densities of plant-parasitic
nematodes without sustaining significant losses in production. When nematodes are a problem,
patches of poor plant growth often become evident within a field that otherwise may appear
normal. The quality of the marketable product is reduced by nematode infestations that cause
tissue breakdown, deformation, or discoloration. Root systems may be deformed, and underground
organs such as potato tubers and carrot taproots may be damaged and unmarketable (Roberts,
1987; Sikora and Fernandez, 1990).
Assessment of Galling in the Field
When root-knot susceptible crops are planted in the same field every year, an assessment
for root-knot galls at the end of the season provides valuable information on the level of nematode
infestation and the likelihood of nematode damage in the next year. The field incidence of root
knot nematode was assessed as “Number of samples with RKN ÷ total samples × 100”. The RKN
incidence was lowest (0%) on spinach and highest (95%) on cucumber with an average of 57% on
other test crops. The root gall severity was based on galling indices (GI) measured on 0 to 5 scales
[0-GI = 0%; 1-GI =10 to 20%; 2-GI = 21 to 50%; 3-GI = 51 to 80%; 4-GI = 81 to 100%., 5-GI = >
100%] on roots. The severity ranged from 0 to 100% with an average of 68%. The size of galls
varied from crop to crop. The gall size was small on roots of chilies, large on roots of sponge
gourd, and intermediate on roots of all other 11 vegetable crops. The number and size of the galls
provides an indication of the degree of root-knot nematode infestation (Barker et al., 1985).

SUMMARY
Our findings contribute important information on the association of two root knot
nematodes species namely M. incognita and M. arenaria with commercially planted vegetable
crops. The incidence of occurrence of these nematodes, severity of infection, gall size, and
numbers of galls varied from crop to crop and field to field. High incidence and severity
demonstrate that root knot nematodes are damaging pathogens of vegetables. The feeding
activities of nematodes reduce root growth and render them unfit to absorb sufficient water and
nutrients from soil to meet the foliage requirements leading to poor plant growth and ultimate
harvested yield is reduced (Barker and Olthof, 1976; Davis et al., 1976).

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 Figure 1: Galls on roots of vegetable crops produced by root knot nematodes.

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