Pests

Plum nematodes

Prunus L.

Soil-borne parasites that damage the root system of plums, causing necrosis, galls, and viral transmission. The primary protection method is based on the use of rootstocks with Ma resistance genes.

In the reference 24 varieties crop Plum, where this is mentioned in the description.

Root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.), lesion (Pratylenchus spp.), ring (Mesocriconema xenoplax), and dagger (Xiphinema spp.) nematodes parasitize plum trees. Root-knot nematodes cause root swellings, ring nematodes contribute to the development of bacterial canker, and dagger nematodes act as vectors for the tomato ringspot virus, which causes the plum 'brown line' disease.

External symptoms of infestation include patchy tree decline in the orchard, general loss of vigor, leaf miniaturization, and premature leaf drop. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that symptoms in the aerial parts are similar to other types of stress, thus requiring an examination of the root system for necrosis or galls.

Genetic resistance to root-knot nematodes in plums is linked to the Ma locus identified in myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera). This locus includes the TNL-family genes Ma1, Ma2, and Ma3, which provide a broad spectrum of protection against various nematode species. The Ma gene is recognized as highly effective due to its ability to recognize and block parasites, which is a key factor in rootstock breeding.

General information about the subject — on the page Nematodes.

Sources8

Varieties of Plum mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.