Solanum torvum reduces root-knot nematode damage on adjacent tomato plants in a dual planting system
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, cilt.145, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 145
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103410
- Dergi Adı: Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Companion planting, Dual planting, Meloidogyne incognita, Resistant, Trap plant, Turkey berry, Wild eggplant
- Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., RKN) cause substantial yield losses in vegetable crops worldwide. With increasing restrictions on chemical nematicides, alternative control strategies are needed. Solanum torvum has demonstrated resistance to several RKN species and produces compounds with nematocidal activity, yet little is known about its potential to protect nearby susceptible plants. We examined whether S. torvum could reduce RKN (Meloidogyne incognita) damage on adjacent tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants in a dual planting system. Experiments were conducted using split pots (500 cm3) separated by a perforated barrier, with S. torvum (St) and S. lycopersicum (Sl) planted in different combinations. Nematode inoculum (1000 J2) was applied to specific pot sections to evaluate protection effects. Plants were uprooted 35 days post-inoculation and assessed for root galling, egg mass production, and nematode levels in soil. When nematodes were inoculated near St , the adjacent Sl plant developed minimal galls (0.13, compared with 85.63 in Sl -only controls, a 99.85% reduction) and produced no egg masses (versus 36 in controls). Soil nematode counts in the dual planting arrangement were also markedly lower (2.50 J2/100 g versus 58.13 in controls, a 96% decrease). These results suggest that St significantly reduces the availability of infectious juveniles in the soil, and this lower J2 density was accompanied by a near-complete reduction of infection on the nearby susceptible host under the experimental conditions. The protection may be associated with the high host resistance of St roots and a reduction in viable soil populations. This approach offers a promising conceptual model for developing integrated nematode management strategies, though further validation under field conditions is required.