Polymorphism of esterase isozyme zymograms of Meloidogyne populations detected by PhastSystem.

Esterase isozyme patterns obtained with an automated electrophoretic apparatus have been used to detect phenotypic variability of 41 Meloidogyne populations collected from Countries throughout the world. Three previously undetected phenotypes have been found along with those commonly ascribed to the four most diffused species, M. incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria and M. hapla. Two of such undescribed phenotypes belonged to tropical populations. Nine different phenotypes could be distinguished, thus indicating a high degree of polymorphism within the populations tested.