New sources of resistance to Radopholus similis in Musa germplasm from Asia

The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, is a serious threat to sustainable banana production worldwide. A promising method for nematode control is the development and deployment of nematode-resistant banana cultivars. This requires the identification of sources of resistance, which can then be included in breeding programs to improve the local banana cultivars. In this regard, 23 accessions, including wild bananas and landraces, were evaluated for resistance to R. similis using the individual root inoculation method. The accessions Marau, Pora Pora, Kokopo, Pisang Mas, Saba, Gia Hiu, M. acuminata ssp. burmannica, M. acuminata ssp. malaccensis and Vudu papua were resistant to R. similis. Four other accessions, Pitu, Yalim, M. balbisiana and Yanun yefan, showed partial resistance to R. similis