Trends in Biosciences

Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood) is the major pest of gerbera which causes a yield loss upto 31.1%. Among the non chemical methods available to control them; the use of resistant varieties is considered one of the most effective and environmentally safe alternatives. An investigation was carried out to assess the resistant level of twenty five gerbera varieties. Two gerbera varieties Atletico orange and Bombero were found to be resistant, two varieties such as Orinaco yellow and Opium red exhibited moderately resistant, thirteen varieties viz., Ruble purple, Jinx yellow, Poubledate orange, Mammut cream, Bell water white, Aqua pink, Aveance pink, Bismack pink, Mariatta pink, Alamo red, Estoria red, Aragon red and Lexington red were found to be susceptible and the remaining varieties namely Palm beach yellow, Cunzone cream, Esmara pink, Bellwater pink, Aqua melone pink, Avenida red, Kaiser red and Alabanda red were highly susceptible for M. incognita.