Four Acacia species were tested for their susceptibility to the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, commonly found in sahelian areas. Faidherbia albida and Acacia senegal were resistant to this nematode. On the contrary, A. raddiana, A. nilotica and A. mangium were susceptible. Among these 3 species, the growth of A. nilotica and A. mangium was inhibited by M. javanica but A. raddiana was tolerant. The rhizobial symbiosis with F. albida and A. senegal was stimulated by the nematode. The population build-up of the root-knot nematode induced by tree species in agroforestry systems is discussed.