Effectiveness of quantitative resistance conferred by the genetic background of pepper in the control of root‐knot nematodes and influence onto durability of Me1‐ and Me3‐resistant genes in greenhouse conditions

In pepper (Capsicum annuum), the major genes (R-genes) Me1 and Me3 confer resistance against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The combination of R-genes and quantitative resistance factors in the same genotype is considered a good breeding strategy for increasing the durability of R-genes. To ascertain this hypothesis, five pepper inbred lines, differing in their quantitative resistance level, were combined with Me1 or Me3 genes in F1 hybrids. The resistance of inbred lines and F1 hybrids was evaluated in a greenhouse with soil naturally infected by M. incognita in two successive growing years. In both years, lines carrying Me3 were less infected by the nematode when combined with quantitative resistance. An increase in nematode infection was observed in the second growing year in lines carrying Me1 or Me3, independently of quantitative resistance. The infection level recorded in inbred lines without R-genes was similar in both years. The effectiveness of quantitative resistance controlling M. incognita is confirmed in greenhouse conditions, although the durability of Me1 and Me3 when combined with quantitative resistance factors was not seen to increase.