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Abstract
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) can significantly impact vegetable production in Georgia. While M. incognita is the most prevalent species, recent surveys reported M. enterolobii, M. floridensis, and M. haplanaria for the first time in the state. This study evaluated the reproductive potential of M. enterolobii, M. floridensis, and M. incognita on major vegetable crops grown in Georgia, assessed M. enterolobii reproduction and potential yield suppression on different types of onion (Vidalia, red, and white), and investigated responses of these recently detected Meloidogyne species to non-fumigant nematicides. Our results showed that M. enterolobii had higher reproductive potential than M. incognita and M. floridensis, which had similar reproduction across most of the vegetable hosts. Moreover, M. enterolobii reproduced on onion and caused significant yield reduction in different onion types. In vitro assay showed M. enterolobii was less sensitive to nematicides, although all nematicides suppressed reproduction of Meloidogyne species tested under greenhouse conditions.