Peroxidase Isozymes from Meloidogyne spp. and Their Origin

Two peroxidase isozymes (Ef 0.43 and 0.53) were detected by electrophoretic analysis in homogenates of Meloidogyne arenaria, M. hapla, M. javanica, and M. incognita females reared on tomato. No peroxidase isozymes were detected electrophoretically in homogenates of adult males, preparasitic larvae, or eggs. Peroxidase isozymes from females reared on bean, eggplant, or tobacco differed from those from females reared on tomato. Bean and eggplant populations had a single peroxidase isozyme each, respectively Ef 0.21 and 0.28. No peroxidase isozymes were detected in tobacco populations under the conditions used, although total activity assays did reveal low levels of peroxidase activity in homogenates of tobacco populations. The peroxidase isozymes detected in females reared on tomato or bean appear similar to the peroxidase isozymes present in root-knot galls, adjacent ungalled roots, and roots from uninoculated plants of the corresponding hosts. The probability is discussed that most of the peroxittase activity associated with Meloidogyne spp. females is of host origin.