Comparative Damage Potential and Reproduction Efficiency of Meloidogyne Javanica and Races of Meloidogyne Incognita On Tomato and Eggplant

Plant damage potential and reproduction efficiency of Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitw. and Races 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitw. were compared in pot experiments with tomato and eggplant. M. javanica, on both hosts, caused greater plant growth suppression (pathogenic damage) than Races 3 and 4, but not greater than Races 1 and 2 of M. incognita. Root galling and egg mass indices of the species and races were similar, but there were differences between populations of females, number of eggs, total population densities and reproduction factors. The trends were the same on both the hosts. Total population, number of females and eggs, reproduction factor and fecundity were greatest for M. javanica followed by Race 2 of M. incognita. M. Javanica also produced larger females. Among the races of M. incognita, Races 1 and 2 had larger female populations, number of eggs, total population, reproduction factor, and fecundity than Races 3 and 4. The damage potential and reproduction efficiency can be arranged in the following order: M. Javanica > M. incognita Race 2 > M. incognita Race 1 > M. incognita Race 4 > M. incognita Race 3.