Root-Knot Nematodes on Willows: Screening of Salix Species, Cultivars, and Hybrids for Resistance    (View PDF)

Frank S. Santamour, Jr. and Janet McCray Batzli

Abstract: Five clones of Salix alba, two cultivars of S. babylonica, and 25 "weeping willow" clones from various arboreta were susceptible to the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne arenaria (Race 1 and Race 2), M. incognita, and M. javanica. None of these clones, nor those of 16 other taxa, were susceptible to M. hapla. Clones of some of the other taxa (S. arbutifolia, S. gracilistyla, S. Integra, S. nigra, S. sachalinensis 'Sekka') were resistant to or tolerant of all the nematodes, and a few taxa exhibited differential susceptibilities. Putative hybrids between a susceptible female S. alba clone and some resistant or tolerant taxa were susceptible to all infective nematode species and races. Short-term greenhouse studies indicated that shoot growth of a S. alba clone could be significantly reduced by nematode infestation but growth of S. babylonica 'Babylon' was not affected. The fact remains, however, that most of our widely planted landscape willows are highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes and may be more subject to windthrow because of such infestation.

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1990.045