Abstract:To understand mechanism of resistance to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in wild cucumber, the effects of nematode infection on plant growth and antioxidant system of resistant and susceptible cucumber varieties were investigated with seedling inoculation in greenhouse. The results showed that plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight above ground and root activity were reduced, fresh and dry weight of root were increased significantly in susceptible Jinchun No.4, while there is no obvious change for these indicators in resistant Xiyindugua after infection. The content of superoxide anion radical (O2·-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malonicdialdehyde (MDA) and electrical conductivity were all increased with lower increasing rate in Xiyindugua than Jinchun No.4. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was reduced in Jinchun No.4 while it increased in Xiyindugua, peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) activities were increased with higher increasing rate in resistant variety than susceptible one. Oxidative stress induced by the pest was less in Xiyindugua than Jinchun No.4 and the oxidative damage can be effectively removed by its antioxidant system.