The okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is one of the most important vegetables in the world and is a popular food item in many tropical and subtropical countries. Besides its cultivation for fresh consumption, okra also has potential industrial uses. Nonetheless, pests and diseases remain the most damaging factors affecting its crop yield. Among these, root-knot nematodes are the main pests limiting okra production. This study aimed to determine the responses of plant species of the Malvaceae family to Meloidogyne incognita and M. enterolobii rootknot nematodes, and to also assess the compatibility of the same with the okra commercial 'Colhe Bem IAC'. Resistance was evaluated using the reproduction factor in two commercial okra cultivars ('Colhe Bem IAC' and 'Santa Cruz 47'), five cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant genotypes (PRO 277, IAC 29-233, PR 136, IAC 24, and IAC 03-979), and vinagreira (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Other resistance-related traits measured were the percentage of healing, plant height, root length, rootstock stem diameter, scion stem diameter, number of leaves, total fresh weight, and fresh weight of the scion, rootstock, and root parts. While the cotton and vinagreira genotypes tested were resistant to both species of nematodes, okra cultivars were not. The okra, however, showed successful adaptation to grafting, which may offer an important physical resistance against attacks by root-knot nematodes, while vinagreira showed the greatest potential for use as rootstock for protecting okra crops.

The objective of this work was to estimate the stability and genotypic adaptability of advanced lines and cultivars of curled green-leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa), in different growing environments and seasons, using the REML/Blup mixed model. Ten genotypes, seven cropping environments, and two growing seasons were studied in 2015. Plant yield traits were evaluated, and data were subjected to the Selegen-REML/Blup software. Genotype stability and adaptability were analyzed using the harmonic mean of genotypic values (HMGV) and the relative performance of genotypic values (RPGV), respectively. The harmonic mean of RPGV (HMRPGV) was used to simultaneously estimate the stability, adaptability, and yield of breeding lines or cultivars. Considering the combined analysis of the two seasons for the set of traits, the lines L6, L7, and L8 were selected as promising ones and recommended for planting. The breeding lines selected for all season exhibit good yield and are considered superior to the commercial cultivars Vanda and Vera.

Genetic resistance is one of the most suitable strategies to control cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) on melon, incited by Podosphaera xanthii or Golovinomyces orontii. However, many races of these pathogens have been reported worldwide in recent years, what may compromise the effectiveness of this method. Thus, annual surveys of CPM races and the screening of germplasm for new sources of genetic resistance provide a vital support to melon breeding programs. This study aimed at identifying a natural population of CPM race under greenhouse conditions, as well as evaluating the reaction of local and exotic melon germplasm for CPM-resistance. CPM race identity was based on the reaction of eight race differentials: Védrantais, Nantais Oblong, PMR 45, PMR 5, WMR 29, Edisto 47, PI 414723 and PI 124111. Fifty-nine melon genotypes were evaluated, 53 of them being germplasm accessions, and six net melon elite-inbred lines, besides two net melon-type cultivars (Louis and Fantasy). Plants were evaluated using a visual scale for leaf lesions. The causal pathogen was confirmed to be P. xanthii, based on the presence of fibrosin bodies in conidia and the complete resistance response of winter melon (Benincasa hispida). Race 4 was identified for the first time in the São Paulo state, Brazil. Genotypes A19, A30, A32, C67, C384, JAB-3, JAB-7, JAB-9, JAB-11, JAB-18, JAB-20 and Solarking showed to be resistant to the race 4.

Melon is one of the most economically important crops cultivated in Brazil, especially in the Northeast region. However, as its cultivation increases, phytosanitary problems arise, including those caused by nematodes, which are most effectively controlled using resistant cultivars. This study aimed at assessing the reaction of muskmelon genotypes, in terms of resistance to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica infestation. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 15 factorial scheme, with six replications. A total of 15 muskmelon genotypes were evaluated and the 'Santa Cruz Kada' tomato was used as a susceptible control. The total number of eggs and juvenile nematodes in the roots and the reproduction factor were used to assess the genotype reaction. None of the genotypes was resistant to M. incognita. Eight genotypes were classified as resistant to M. javanica and promising for use in melon breeding programs.

The present study aimed to evaluate Capsicum accessions for resistance to Meloidogyne incognita race 3, Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne enterolobii. Two experiments with different genotypes of hot and sweet peppers were carried out in a completely randomized design. The first experiment was conducted in a 31 x 3 factorial scheme with 27 genotypes of Capsicum annuum, two cultivars of hot pepper, one line of Capsicum frutescens and tomato 'Santa Cruz Kada', and three species of nematodes (M. incognita race 3, M. javanica and M. enterolobii). In the second experiment, we used a factorial scheme 39 x 3 with 36 accessions of C. annuum, two hot pepper cultivars and the 'Santa Cruz Kada' tomato and three nematodes species mentioned earlier. The total number of eggs and second-stage juveniles (TNEJ), number of eggs and second-stage juveniles per gram of root (NEJGR), reproduction index (RI) and reproduction factor (RF) were evaluated. Based on RI and RF, the genotypes CNPH 185, CNPH 187 and CNPH 680 were resistant and very resistant to M. incognita race 3 and M. javanica, simultaneously. The C. frutescens line presented resistance to the three root-knot nematode species.