Identification of Nematode Resistant Gene Sources Against Root-Lesion Nematode (Pratylenchus coffeae) in Banana Sundararaju P. Crop Protection Laboratory, National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR), Thayanur post, Tiruchirapalli-620 102, Tamil Nadu, India e-mail: sundar_nrcb@yahoo.com Abstract An experiment was conducted in pots under green house condition during 2003–04 to evaluate for tolerance/resistance in banana varieties against root-lesion nematode. Among 72 Musa germplasms screened against root-lesion nematode, cvs. Singhlal, Sakkarachayna, Malai Kali, Manik Champa, Madavazhai, Kartobiumtham and Marabale were found resistant to Pratylenchus coffeae, whereas cvs. Chakia, ReDia, Ratisa local, Dudh Sagar, Rersian, Karibale, Kechulepa, Rajapuri India, Raidi Chinna, Wather, Chakkara Kannan, Yenagu Rontha, Kachkel, Soniyal and Ambeli were found moderately resistant to root-lesion nematode. It is interesting to note that the cultivars Kothia, Gragric Sarpara, Elavalai, Myndoli and Virupakshi though recorded high root-lesion indices and nematode populations, the reaction of plant growth parameters was minimal which proved that they posses a high degree of tolerance to P. coffeae. The remaining 43 varieties were found susceptible to P. coffeae, of which nine varieties were exhibited highly susceptible to P. coffeae. Top Keywords Banana germplasm, Pratylenchus coffeae, tolerance, resistance, susceptible. Top |