PAPAS Newsletter: Novel Chemistries for Nematode Management

The plant Solanum sisymbriifolium (also known as litchi tomato) is a distant relative to potato. It is resistant to both root-knot and cyst nematodes. Studies of these plants found that these nematodes rarely even enter the plant roots to feed, and those that do cannot complete their lifecycle.  

Growing litchi tomato in contaminated field significantly reduces the number of nematodes in the field. Overall, the broad-spectrum resistance presents an invaluable opportunity for investigating new strategies in nematode management, especially as the efficacy of traditional nematicides dwindles due to environmental concerns. 

Initial findings suggest that extracts from litchi tomato roots and stems/leaves significantly affect nematode egg hatching. 

Read our full newsletter to learn more about making and evaluating extracts from litchi tomato for new nematode management chemistries.