Resistance of Coffea arabica genotypes against Meloidogyne paranaensis and M-incognita under controlled and field conditions

Root-knot nematodes negatively impact on coffee yield worldwide. The use of resistant cultivars is the most effective way to manage these pests. The goal of this study was to identify Coffea arabica genotypes with resistance to Meloidogyne paranaensis and M. incognita race 1. Eighteen C. arabica genotypes (EPAMIGs Germplasm Bank), previously selected for poor host suitability in a M. paranaensis-infested field, plus a resistant and a susceptible standard, were inoculated with these two Meloidogyne species to determine their resistance using nematode reproduction factor (R-f). Accessions for which R-f < 1 were considered resistant, while those for which R-f >= 1 were considered moderately resistant or susceptible, also according to statistical analysis. Five accessions from crossing Catuai Vermelho x Amphillo MR 2-161, one from Catuai Vermelho x Amphillo MR 2-474, two from Timor Hybrid (UFV 408-01) and the standard IPR-100 were resistant to M. incognita race 1 with R-f < 1. Four accessions from Catuai Vermelho x Amphillo MR 2-161, one from Timor Hybrid (UFV 408-01), one from Catuai Vermelho x Amphillo MR 2-474 and the resistant standard IPR-100 were resistant to M. paranaensis (R-f < 1). Field evaluations with parental genotypes showed that plants that originated from progenies Catuai Vermelho x Amphillo MR 2-161 were resistant to M. paranaensis and also gave a good yield compared to commercial cultivars, showing promising agronomic traits that can be used in breeding programmes to develop new cultivars of C. arabica.