Early and late responses characterise the resistance derived from Ethiopian wild germplasm ‘Amphillo’ of Coffea arabica to Meloidogyne paranaensis

Abstract

Meloidogyne paranaensis is one of the most important pathogenic nematode species on coffee. Our aim with this study was to characterise the resistance of genotype ‘16-6-1’, derived from germplasm ‘Amphillo’ of Coffea arabica to M. paranaensis. Second-stage juveniles penetrated the roots of ‘16-6-1’ in lower numbers and at a slower pace as compared to the susceptible genotype. The strong blue fluorescence observed in the resistant, but not in the susceptible genotype suggested that resistance responses occurred as early as 2 days after inoculation (DAI). Late responses involved the degradation of the giant cell at 14 DAI onwards in the resistant genotype, whereas nematode and giant cell development progressed normally in the susceptible genotype. Our results suggested that the resistance of genotype ‘16-6-1’ is related to early and late defence responses. These results may be used to develop molecular markers linked to the resistance genes to use in breeding programmes.