Abstract
Twenty-eight genotypes (bred diploids, seed-fertile triploids and tetraploid
hybrids) of Musa spp. were evaluated in pot tests in Honduras for resistance
and tolerance to Radopholus similis through comparison with reference
genotypes (Grand Nain as susceptible and Pisang Jari Buaya and Yangambi Km5
as resistant). Eleven tests were carried out, each with seven to 12 Musa
genotypes. Tissueculture plants (TC) or plants grown from a corm (Co) were
inoculated with 1000 or 3500 nematodes per plant, respectively. Data on
nematode population densities, fresh root weight, percentages dead roots,
root necrosis and root bases on the corm with lesions were taken 13-23 weeks
after inoculation. In most tests, Gros Michel and Highgate were as
susceptible to R. similis as Grand Nain. Resistance was shown by both TC and
Co plants of SH-3142, SH-3362, SH-3648 and SH-3723, and by Co plants of
SH-2095, SH-3624, the female parents Calcutta 4 and Prata Enana, and the
hybrid FHIA-01. Moderate resistance was shown by TC plants of SH-3624 and Co
plants of SH-3437, the female parent Pelipita and the hybrids FHIA-18 and
FHIA-23. The other genotypes were susceptible to R. similis although the
male parents SH-3386 and SH-3640, and the hybrid FHIA-21 had some degree of
resistance. FHIA-03 was susceptible but showed tolerance to R. similis.
Phenalenone-type phytoalexins mediate resistance of banana plants (Musa spp.) to the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis
