, a Novel Source of Resistance to Root-Lesion and Root-Knot Nematodes in Sugarcane.

Root-lesion nematode () and root-knot nematode () are two important pathogens of sugarcane ( hybrid). No commercial cultivars are resistant to these nematodes in Australia. Twenty accession lines of , a wild relative of sugarcane, were tested against these two nematode species. lines were tested twice for resistance to root-lesion nematode and three times for root-knot nematode. Reproduction (final population/starting population) of root-lesion nematodes was significantly lower in 17 of the 20 accession lines tested in two experiments compared with two commercial cultivars. Four lines supported a significantly lower number of root-lesion nematodes per gram of root than that of two commercial sugarcane cultivars. Reproduction of root-knot nematodes was significantly lower in 16 lines compared with two commercial cultivars. Fourteen of the lines tested supported significantly fewer eggs per gram of root compared with two commercial cultivars. This study showed that lines possessed resistance for root-lesion and root-knot nematodes. Targeted crossing with commercial hybrid parental lines should be conducted to introduce nematode resistance into sugarcane cultivars for the Australian sugar industry.