description
- Root lesion nematodes (mainly Pratylenchus thornei and Pratylenchus neglectus) cause estimated yield losses worth approximately $123 million pa (2020 data)in intolerant wheat varieties. Current control measures rely on integrated management growing of tolerant wheat varieties and rotation to resistant crop species. One difficulty in practicing crop rotation is that root-lesion nematodes have a wide host range including cereals (wheat and barley) and grain legumes (chickpea, faba bean, mungbean and soybean). In addition, the widespread use of tolerant varieties, whilst maintaining yield, allows the build up of nematode numbers. Deployment of resistant varieties (that maintain yield and suppress numbers) in integrated management practices is highly desirable. This investment will continue to develop methods to assess genotypes of wheat, barley, chickpea, mungbean and field pea for resistance to root-lesion nematodes. These methods will be used to discover resistant germplasm in these crops, develop molecular markers and allow plant breeders to develop resistant and tolerant varieties of wheat, barley, chickpea, mungbean and field pea.