Management of Soil-Borne Fungi and Root-Knot Nematodes in Cucurbits through Breeding for Resistance and Grafting

This JSON file contains flashcards about the management of soil-borne fungi and nematodes in cucurbits.

What are the two major pathogens that cause root diseases in cucurbits?

Soil-borne pathogenic fungi (SBPF) and root-knot nematodes (RKN).

What is an effective and sustainable method to control soil-borne diseases in cucurbits?

Plant resistance.

Why is proper pathogen diagnosis important when choosing a cultivar or rootstock?

Because of the specificity in the response of cucurbit crops to fungal and nematode species and races.

Name three common mechanisms of resistance against SBPF and RKN in plants.

Hardening of cell walls, pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, and production of antimicrobial molecules.

What role do plant hormones like salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene play in cucurbit resistance?

They are involved in the response of cucurbits to SBPF.

What is one limitation of grafting in the context of controlling soil-borne pathogens?

Grafting is effective against Fusarium wilt but not as effective against RKN, though new rootstocks are being developed.

In 2018, what was the worldwide production of cucurbits estimated to be?

234,143,923 tons.

What is currently the most important SBPF affecting cultivated cucurbits?

Fusarium oxysporum.

What are some above-ground symptoms of vascular pathogenic Fusarium spp. infection?

Asymmetrical brown vascular discoloration in the crown or stem, and partial affection of the plant depending on vascular tissues.

Name three polyphagous damping-off pathogens that induce water-soaked lesions in cucurbits.

Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, and Acremonium cucurbitacearum.

What is vine decline in melon and watermelon specifically linked to?

Fruit growth and ripening.

Which genus of nematodes is most important due to its worldwide distribution, potential damage, and economical importance?

Meloidogyne (root-knot nematodes, RKN).

What is the main visual sign associated with RKN infection in plant roots?

The presence of galls.

Watermelon is more tolerant to which nematode: M. javanica or M. incognita?

M. javanica.

What is the zig-zag model related to in plant pathology?

A cycle between plant defense responses and the counterattack of the pathogen

Passive defense in plants against pathogens begins with the perception of what?

Conserved molecular patterns associated with microbes or pathogens (PAMP) by the pathogen recognition receptors (PRR) in plants.

Non-host resistance to fungi can be produced by the accumulation of what?

Lignin.

What defense responses occur during cucumber infection by FOC in resistant varieties?

Tylose formation is faster.

What is the difference between systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR)?

SAR is based on PR-proteins and salicylic acid accumulation, while ISR is independent of salicylic acid and based on jasmonic acid and ethylene.

What molecule mediates non-host resistance to fungi?

Lignin accumulation