Root-knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp., are important crop pests that cause severe losses in crop production worldwide, reducing both productivity and crop quality. Meloidogyne chitwoodi Golden, O'Bannon, Santo & Finley, 1980 is considered a quarantine organism by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) causing damage in tomato and potato crops. The development of nonchemical and sustainable management strategies to reduce nematode damage is crucial. The resistance of Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.-M.L. Jaeger and S. sisymbriifolium Lamarck cv. Sis 6001 to M. chitwoodi was evaluated based on gall index (GI), the Bridge & Page (1980) rating chart and reproduction factor (RF). Both plant species were resistant to M. chitwoodi. Solanum linnaeanum had an average of 519 small root swellings/plant, with 45% adult nematodes inside the roots, all males. Solanum sisymbriifolium had GI ≤ 2 and RF ≤ 1 with a high percentage (69%) of nematodes inside the roots that did not develop beyond the sexually undifferentiated second-stage. The use of S. linnaeanum as a new source of resistance is a good alternative for the control of RKN in the quest to develop nonchemical and sustainable management strategies to protect crops.

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Summary Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera spp., cause damage to potatoes in more than 60 countries and several management strategies, including the application of chemical nematicides, are commonly used for their control. However, due to stringent regulations in Europe several nematicides have been, or are being, removed from the market due to their potential toxic effects on the environment and human health. New solutions and nematode management strategies are being sought to control these challenging and economically important nematodes. In this study, the effects of Salibro™, a novel sulfonamide nematicide based on the active ingredient fluazaindolizine (Reklemel™ active), were evaluated on the hatching, motility, infectivity and reproduction of PCN in the laboratory. Depending upon the duration of nematode pre-exposure, Salibro™ at concentrations of 5-250 mg fluazaindolizine (active substance) (a.s.) kg−1 (equivalent to 5-250 ppm a.s.) affected hatching, motility and infectivity of second-stage juveniles of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis, whereas the reproduction of G. pallida was only influenced at 5-50 mg a.s. kg−1. Salibro™, under laboratory conditions, has intrinsic activity against both PCN species and could be a promising additional tool for the integrated management of PCN. Further studies are needed to demonstrate Salibro™ efficacy under field conditions.