Meloidogyne enterolobii(= M. mayaguensis) has been reported as a potential threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicumspp.) crops in tropical and subtropical areas. Of particular concern with this nematode is its ability to overcome the resistance mediated by the tomato Mi-1 gene as well as by some of the Megenes in Capsicum. In the present work, we report for the first time the occurence of M. enterolobii infecting Capsicum annuumplants carrying the Me1 and Me3/Me7 genes under plastic house systems in Brasília-DF (Central Brazil). Plants of the commercial rootstock hybrid ‘Snooker’ (a pyramid of the genes Me1 and Me3/Me7) infected by M. enterolobii(esterase phynotype M2) exhibited overall yellowing, severe wilt symptoms, premature defoliation, and root rot accompanied by profuse root galling. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. enterolobiiinfection in root-knot resistant Capsicum rootstocks in Central Brazil, thus expanding the geographical distribution of this pathogen in this host species.
