Evaluation of Strawberry Varieties for Their Resistance Against Root- Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

On the basis of preliminary observations and survey carried out in Himachal during the last five years on strawberry showed the clear symptoms of dwarf ness, unhealthy plants growth with twisted and crinkled leaves which turns into dark magenta reddish color on the leaf edge and veins. In some plants, leaves were found more brittle than normal and buds were either completely squeezed or become very small. The survey results showed the prevalence of economically important nematode species identified on strawberry belongs to Meloidogyne, Xiphinema, Longidorus, Mesocriconema, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus, Rotylenchus, Ditylenchus, Radopholus and Tylenchorhynchus. Out of these nematodes species; M. incognita was found to be most predominant species and recorded 360 J2/200 cc of soil and 20–80 J2/5g on roots. Therefore, on the basis of preliminary observations of nematode incidence and symptoms caused by nematodes (M. incognita) to strawberry some economically viable and locally suited varieties were selected for the present studies as; Selva, Belruby, Fern, Blackmore, Dana, Howard, Pajaro, Ethna, Chandler, Torrey and Tiago to undertake the screening of varieties against the M. incognita in the root- knot infested field. However, all the eleven varieties have been tested out of which Tiago and Torrey were found resistant and Chandler was highly resistant against root knot nematode. In the successive year the promising varieties as Howard, Pajaro, Ethna, Chandler, Torrey and Tiago were selected for further studies against M.incognita in the Glass house.