Abstract

Screenhouse studies were carried out between April – June and July – September, 2004 at the vegetable research
unit of National HorticulturalResearch Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan,Nigeria to investigate the reaction of five lines
of Telfairia occidentalis (EN2000-4, EN2000-6, EN2000-10, EN2000-11, EN2000-13) to different population
levels (0, 5000 and 10 000 eggs) of Meloidogyne incognita race 2. Seeds from five different matured pods of
Telfairia lines were planted on moist sawdust medium. They were watered every two days until germination and
transplanting. Experimental layout was a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated five
times. Nematode inoculation was done at one week after transplanting. The plants were watered every two days
and observation of vine length, vine girth and number of leaves commenced two weeks after transplanting (WAT)
on bi weekly basis and lasted till the 10th week. From the 4th WAT, roots were assessed for the presence of eggs
every five days in view of determining the generation time in the various lines. Soil nematode population and root
gall indices were determined at the end of the trial.
Results showed that there were significant differences between the Telfairia lines in the measured parameters
irrespective of the inoculum levels. EN2000-4 performed significantly better than the other lines. EN2000-13
which closely followed EN2000-4 with respect to vegetative growth, recorded significantly higher galling index
than all the other lines. There were significant differences between the inoculum levels. Inoculum levels were
inversely proportional to growth parameters and directly proportional to gall indices in all the lines. Chlorotic
patches were also observed on the leaves of plants inoculated with 10 000 eggs. The uninoculated (control) plants
gave significantly better vegetative growth than their inoculated counterparts. The disparities in growth and yield
responses indicate that there is genetic variability among the lines.

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