EFFECTS OF MANIFESTATION OF MI GENE IN A TOMATO HYBRID AND ITS PARENTAL LINE ON THE PENETRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA

Effects of manifestation of Mi gene in a tomato F1 hybrid (FM-2) and its parental line (IIHR-550) on the penetration and post penetration development of Meloidogyne incognita (race2) were investigated. Significantly fewer number of M. incognita juveniles penetrated tomato F1 hybrid (FM-2) when compared to a susceptible tomato cultivar (Pusa Ruby). Further, significantly lesser number of J2 M. incognita penetrated IIHR-550 (parent line of hybrid) when compared to the hybrid (FM-2). The development of juveniles into adult female was totally restricted in parental line, where a very few juveniles developed into adult females in hybrid, and out of those females very few females produced egg masses. Thus effects of manifestation of Mi gene were significantly different in tomato hybrid and its parent revealing that Mi gene activity is not completely transferred from parent to hybrid.