Pests

Nematodes of White Clover

Trifolium repens L.

Parasitic nematodes Ditylenchus dipsaci, Heterodera trifolii, and Meloidogyne trifoliophila cause ditylenchosis, chlorosis, and the formation of root galls, leading to stunted growth and thinning of white clover stands.

In the reference 15 varieties crop White clover, where this is mentioned in the description.

White clover is affected by the stem nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci, the clover cyst nematode Heterodera trifolii, and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne trifoliophila. The stem nematode concentrates in the axils of petioles and growing points, causing leaf crinkling and stolon deformation. Infestation by cyst-forming nematodes manifests as chlorosis and leaf reduction, while root-knot nematodes cause characteristic galls on the plant's root system.

In white clover breeding for nematode resistance, recurrent selection methods based on phenotypic traits, such as the parasite reproduction rate or the number of root galls, are employed. Specific R-genes for resistance have not yet been classified; however, research is underway into the role of the Kunitz proteinase inhibitor family genes (Tr-KPI1, Tr-KPI2, Tr-KPI4, Tr-KPI5), which regulate the plant's response to invasion by root-knot and cyst-forming nematodes.

General information about the subject — on the page Nematodes.

Sources8

Varieties of White clover 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.