Eight commercial varieties of caladium (Caladium × hortulanum) were evaluated for resistance or susceptibility to the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in tests conducted in greenhouse and growth room. Relative levels of resistance among varieties was evaluated in terms of nematodes present in soil and second-stage juveniles hatched from eggs extracted from roots at 4-5 months after nematode inoculation. Lowest numbers of nematodes were produced on 'White Christmas' and 'Pink Glow'. 'Crimson Wave' and 'Autumn Beauty' appeared to be the most susceptible varieties, usually supporting consistently high numbers of nematodes. Nematode numbers on 'Avalon Rose', 'Fire Nymph', 'Dawn', and 'Fire Chief' were generally intermediate, but often not different (P =0.05) from those present on the most susceptible varieties. Results demonstrate the existence of differing levels of relative resistance against M. incognita in caladium germplasm.
