LAUSR

Abstract Root-knot nematodes (RKNs; Meloidogyne spp.) are becoming a serious problem in legume production. This study identified Vigna genotypes exhibiting resistance to M. incognita (RKN) and characterized the modes of the resistance to M. incognita. In total, 279 accessions from 21 Vigna species were screened for resistance based on a galling index (GI) and an egg mass index (EI). Seven accessions were highly resistant to RKN with GI≤25, namely JP74716 (V. mungo var. mungo; cultivated black gram), JP107881 (V. nepalensis), JP229392 (V. radiata var. sublobata; wild mungbean), AusTRCF118141 (V. unguiculata subsp. unguiculata; cultivated cowpea), AusTRCF306385 (V. unguiculata subsp. unguiculata), AusTRCF322090 (V. vexillata var. vexillata; wild zombi pea) and JP235929 (V. vexillata var. vexillata). JP229392 and AusTRCF322090 were the most resistant accessions having EI values of 18.74 and 1.88, respectively. Continuous culture of M. incognita on both JP229392 and AusTRCF322090 resulted in a weakness in pathogenic ability for this RKN. The resistance in JP229392 and AusTRCF322090 to RKN appeared to be antibiosis that was associated with reduced nematode penetration, retardation of nematode development and impeding giant cell formation. The Vigna germplasm resistance to RKN identified in this study could be utilized as gene sources for the development of RKN-resistant Vigna cultivars.