Enzyme phenotypes of Brazilian populations of Meloidogyne spp.

Abstract

Enzyme phenotype, especially esterases and malate dehydrogenase, were used ra characterize 90 Meloidogyne spp. populations from different regions of Brazil, using a simplified technique for routine analyses. Soluble proteins from macerates of individual females were separated by horizontal electrophoresis on 1 mm-thick-polyacrylamide gels (7 %). Of the populations srudied, 24 were M. incognila, 39 M. javanica, six M. arenan'a, rwo M. exigua, eight M. hapla, rwo M. graminicola, and nine Meloidogyne spp. Among the undescribed species, Nleloidogyne sp.l is similar ra M. javanica on perineal pattern and can be clistinguished by the lack of one electrophoretic esterase band and its ability ra reproduce on pepper. Meloidogym sp. 2, the most virulent parasite of coffee roots in Parana State, is an undescribed species. Unforrunately, enzymatic proftles provide insufficient information ra separate the host races in M. incognila and M. arenaria.