Authors : I.A. Udo , K.I. Ugwuoke and D.A. Ukeh
Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the relationship between 2 root-knot nematode species (Meloidogyne incognita and M. Javanica) and pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV) (Genus: Potyvirus) infecting Nigerian pepper lines in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria. Twelve indigenous pepper lines were used as test plants. Individual plants were inoculated with 2,000 eggs, each of the nematode species. Uninoculated plants served as the control. The test plants were infected naturally with the PVMV by surrounding with green peach aphids (Myzus persicae sulz) infested PVMV source plants. The spread of the virus was aided by green peach aphids. Galling and egg production by the nematodes were scored on 0-5 rating scale, while viral infection was scored on 0-4 rating scale. The pepper lines differed significantly (p<0.05) in their severity of galling, egg production and viral infection. Only the nematode-free plants expressed the severe viral infection symptom rating 3. All the nematode infection ratings had negative correlation with the moderate infection rating of the virus as well as viral index. The results suggest an antagonistic interaction between the two pathogens. The biochemical or physiological basis of this interaction is yet to be ascertained.
I.A. Udo , K.I. Ugwuoke and D.A. Ukeh , 2008. Antagonistic Effect of Meloidogyne incognita and M. Javanica on Pepper Veinal Mottle Virus (PVMV) (Genus: Potyvirus) Infecting Nigerian Pepper (Capsicum sp.) Lines. Agricultural Journal, 3: 31-35.