RESISTANCE TO ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita IN SOME CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus, L.) INBRED LINES AND THEIR HYBRIDS

Three experiments were conducted in this study. The first experiment included two parts. In the first part, nineinbred lines and susceptible variety Beit alpha (control) belonging to cucumber (Cucumis sativus, L.) were evaluated for resistance to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under greenhouse condition (artificial infestation). In the second part, the five inbred lines resistant, susceptible variety Beit alpha and their hybrids were evaluated for resistance to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under greenhouse condition (artificial infestation). The second experiment included two parts. In the first part, nineinbred lines and susceptible variety Beit alpha (control) belonging to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were evaluated for resistance to root - knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under field condition (natural infestation). In the second part, the five inbred lines resistant, susceptible variety Beit alpha and their hybrids were evaluated for resistance to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under field condition (natural infestation). In the third experiment, the five hybrids and their parents were evaluated for some horticultural characters. The first experiment (pot test), in the first part only Line 7 and Line 8 evaluated were moderately resistant to root-knot nematode, M .incognita. L3, L6 and L9inbred lines evaluated were slightly resistant to M. incognita. Beit alpha (control) was susceptible to M. incognita in two parts. In the second part only the L7 × PC hybrid evaluated was highly resistant. The second experiment (field test), agreed with the first experiment (pot test) in all results except Line 7 evaluated was highly resistant to root-knot nematode ,(M. incognita). In the third experiment C. sativus line 6 was superior in vegetative characters and yield component. The hybrid L9 × PC was superior for main stem length and early and total yield as number and weight. L7 × PC hybrid was the highest in total yield and the best in fruit length. All hybrids were resistant to M. incognita and suitable for using in Egyptian agriculture.