Corn Response to Subsoiling and Nematicide Application

A 2-year field study evaluated the influence of subsoiling and nematicide application, alone and in combination, on the growth and yield of field corn in a sandy soil in north-central Florida. The field had a 25-30-cm-deep tillage pan (plowpan) and was infested with Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Hoplolaimus galeatus, Trichodorus christei, and Pratylenchus spp. Subsoiling increased corn yield both years, and the residual effect of subsoiling in the first year increased yields in the second year. Preplant application of DD injected in-row increased yields and reduced nematode populations. At-planting applications of DD injected in-row and carbofuran in-furrow or in a band were less effective than subsoiling in increasing yields and reducing nematode numbers. Interactions between subsoiling and nematicide treatments occurred in the second year.     

Control of the Soybean Cyst Nematode by Crop Rotation in Combination with a Nematicide

An experiment to evaluate the control of soybean cyst nematodes compared 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year nonhost rotations with continuous soybeans (Glycine max) in 0.2-ha plots. In a second 1-year rotation, the plots were planted to soybean or corn (Zea mays) after fumigation in the spring with a split application of 1,3-dichloropropene (748.2 liters/ha). The effects of the nematicide were apparent the first year. Soybean yield was 1,482 kg/ha compared to 233 kg/ha in the untreated plots. In the second year, the highest yielding plants (2,035 kg/ha) were those following 1 year of corn that had been treated the previous year; plants in untreated plots yielded 288 kg/ha. Average yield of soybean following 1 year of corn was 957 kg/ha compared to 288 kg/ha for continuous soybean. In the third year, the effects of the nematicide were still evident. Soybean plants in plots treated the first year, followed by corn, then soybean, yielded 1,044 kg/ha compared to 761 kg/ ha for soybean following 1 year of corn and 991 kg/ha for soybean following 2 years of corn. Plots planted to soybean for 3 consecutive years yielded 337 kg/ha. Nematicidal effects were no longer evident during the fourth year. Yields were most improved by the greatest number of years in the nonhost crop; highest yields in descending order were from plants following 3 years of corn, 2 years of corn, and 1 year of corn. Plots planted to soybean for 4 consecutive years yielded 130 kg/ha. Highly significant negative correlations occurred each year between initial nematode population densities and seed yield.     

Susceptibility of Soybean Cultivars and Lines to Pratylenchus hexincisus

Population increase of Pratylenchus hexincisus on 41 soybean cultivars (maturity groups I-VI) and lines was tested under greenhouse conditions. After 3 months, P. hexincisus was recovered from the roots of all plants tesled. Final populations of P. hexincisus per pot were larger than the initial population in 13 cultivars. Pathogenicity of P. hexincisus on five soybean cultivars representing maturity groups (I-V) was demonstrated under greenhouse conditions. An inoculmn of 5,000 P. hexineisus/plant significantly decreased the root and shoot biomass of all five soybean cultivars after 3 months.     

Dynamics of the Entomogenous Nematode Steinernema feltiae Applied to Soil with and without Nematicide Treatment

The dynamics of Steinernema feltiae strain DD-136 in soils with different fauna was investigated to determine the best method for the biological control of soil insects. Infective juveniles (J3) were applied to field plots with and without 1,3-D (Telone II) fumigation. Recovery of J3 and changes in native nematode fauna were monitored until the applied J3 were no longer recovered by Baermann funnel (BF). Recovery of J3 by BF or by a two-step extraction procedure from steam-sterilized or nonsterilized sandy or silty soil with different fauna was investigated. More DD-136 J3 were recovered from the 1,3-D treated soil than from nontreated soil, while native nematodes in the treated soil fluctuated more with the addition of DD-136 than those in nontreated soil. The J3 persisted longer in silty than in sandy soils. The inundative soil application of DD-136 increased native rhabditids and decreased plant-parasitic nematodes. DD-136 in chemically treated soil not only effectively attacked the invading soil insect pests but also suppressed the recovery of plant nematodes.     

Field Efficacy of Furfural as a Nematicide on Turf

A commercial formulation of furfural was recently launched in the United States as a turfgrass nematicide. Three field trials evaluated efficacy of this commercial formulation on dwarf bermudagrass putting greens infested primarily with Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Meloidogyne graminis, or both these nematodes, and in some cases with Mesocriconema ornatum or Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus. In all these trials, furfural improved turf health but did not reduce population densities of B. longicaudatus, M. graminis, or the other plant-parasitic nematodes present. In two additional field trials, efficacy of furfural at increasing depths in the soil profile (0 to 5 cm, 5 to 10 cm, and 10 to 15 cm) against B. longicaudatus on bermudagrass was evaluated. Reduction in population density of B. longicaudatus was observed in furfural-treated plots for depths below 5 cm on several dates during both trials. However, no differences in population densities of B. longicaudatus were observed between the furfural-treated plots and the untreated control for soil depth of 0 to 5 cm during either trial. These results indicate that furfural applications can improve health of nematode-infested turf and can reduce population density of plant-parasitic nematodes in turf systems. Although the degree to which turf improvement is directly caused by nematicidal effects is still unclear, furfural does appear to be a useful nematode management tool for turf.     

Effects of Subsoiling and Nematicides on Hoplolaimus columbus Populations and Cotton Yield

Subsoiling to a depth of 35 cm under the planting row for 3 consecutive years increased annual yields of seed cotton by 50 to 200%. Annual subsoiling was essential for maximum yields. The application of a nematicide, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) or aldicarb, reduced the population of Hoplolaimus columbus but did not increase seed-cotton yields over subsoiling alone. Subsoiling reduced H. columbus in the top 20 cm of soil since the treatment favored deeper penetration by much of the root syslem and, consequently, less root colonization of the upper soil zone.     

Impact of Herbicides on Heterodera glycines Susceptible and Resistant Soybean Cultivars

Several abiotic and biotic stresses can affect soybean in a growing season. Heterodera glycines, soybean cyst nematode, reduces yield of soybean more than any other pathogen in the United States. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to determine whether preemergence and postemergence herbicides modified the reproduction of H. glycines, and to determine the effects of possible interactive stresses caused by herbicides and H. glycines on soybean growth and yield. Heterodera glycines reproduction factor (Rf) generally was less on resistant than susceptible cultivars, resulting in a yield advantage for resistant cultivars. The yield advantage of resistant cultivars was due to more pods per plant on resistant than susceptible cultivars. Pendimethalin reduced H. glycines Rf on the susceptible cultivars in 1998 at Champaign, Illinois, and in greenhouse studies reduced dry root weight of H. glycines-resistant and susceptible cultivars, therefore reducing Rf on the susceptible cultivars. The interactive stresses from acifluorfen or imazethapyr and H. glycines reduced the dry shoot weight of the resistant cultivar Jack in a greenhouse study. Herbicides did not affect resistant cultivars'' ability to suppress H. glycines Rf; therefore, growers planting resistant cultivars should make herbicide decisions based on weeds present and cultivar tolerance to the herbicide.     

Interaction of Meloidogyne incognita and Water Stress in Two Cotton Cultivars

A series of controlled-environment experiments were conducted to elucidate the effects of Meloidogyne incognita on host physiology and plant-water relations of two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivars that differed in their susceptibility to nematode infection. Inoculation of M. incognita-resistant cultivar Auburn 634 did not affect growth, stomatal resistance, or components of plant-water potential relative to uninoculated controls. However, nematode infection of the susceptible cultivar Stoneville 506 greatly suppressed water flow through intact roots. This inhibition exceeded 28% on a root-length basis and was similar to that observed as a consequence of severe water stress in a high evaporative demand environment. Nematodes did not affect the components of leaf water potential, stomatal resistance, transpiration, or leaf temperature. However, these factors were affected by the interaction of M. incognita and water stress. Our results indicate that M. incognita infection may alter host-plant water balance and may be a significant factor in early-season stress on cotton seedlings.     

Galling and Yields of Soybean Cultivars Grown in Meloidogyne arenana-Infested Soil

Field trials with 39 soybean cultivars and five breeding lines from public and private sources were conducted from 1982 through 1985 at sites infested with Meloidogyne arenaria. Nematode population densities and root-knot galling were measured for each soybean entry. All were efficient hosts for the nematode, and average juvenile numbers in the soil increased 5-50 × from planting to harvest. Differences (P < 0.05) in galling were found among entries in each year. Centennial, Cobb, Coker 368, Hutton, and Jeff cultivars, recognized for their resistance to M. incognita, were severely galled and yielded poorly. Bedford, Forrest, A7372, Bragg, Braxton, Gordon, and Kirby, also recognized for their resistance to M. incognita, were among the least galled cultivars. Yields of all entries, however, were too low to justify their planting in sites heavily infested with M. arenaria.     

Response of Soybean Cultivars to Nematicidal Treatments of Soil Infested with Meloidogyne incognita

A comparison of untreated and nematicide-treated soil for soybean production revealed that Meloidogyne incognita hastened crop maturity and reduced plant ht, seed wt, and yield. Reductions of yield varied from 32-90% depending on cultivar susceptibility. DBCP was more consistent in increasing crop performance than organo-phosphale or oxime carbamate nematicides. Greatest yield increases were produced by nematicidal treatment of soils planted to soybean cultivars with the lowest susceptibility.     

Host Suitability of Soybean Cultivars and Breeding Lines to Reniform Nematode in Tests Conducted in 2001

Reproduction of reniform nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis on 139 soybean lines was evaluated in a greenhouse in the summer of 2001. Cultivars and lines (119 total) were new in the Arkansas and Mississippi Soybean Testing Programs, and an additional 20 were submitted by C. Overstreet, Louisiana State Extension Nematologist. A second test of 32 breeding lines and 2 cultivars from the Clemson University soybean breeding program was performed at the same time under the same conditions. Controls were the resistant cultivars Forrest and Hartwig, susceptible Braxton, and fallow infested soil. Five treatment replications were planted in sandy loam soil infested with 1,744 eggs and vermiform reniform nematodes, grown for 10 weeks in 10 cm-diam.- pots. Total reniform nematodes extracted from soil and roots was determined, and a reproductive factor (final population (Pf)/ initial inoculum level (Pi)) was calculated for each genotype. Reproduction on each genotype was compared to the reproduction on the resistant cultivar Forrest (RF), and the log ratio [log₁₀(RF + 1) is reported. Cultivars with reproduction not significantly different from Forrest (log ratio) were not suitable hosts, whereas those with greater reproductive indices were considered suitable hosts. These data will be useful in the selection of soybean cultivars to use in rotation with cotton or other susceptible crops to help control the reniform nematode and to select useful breeding lines as parent material for future development of reniform nematode resistant cultivars and lines.     

Hatch and Emergence of Heterodera glycines in Root Leachate from Resistant and Susceptible Soybean Cultivars

Egg hatch and emergence of second-stage juveniles (J2) of Heterodera glycines races 3 and 4 from cysts exposed to soybean root leachate of cv. Fayette (resistant to H. glycines) and H. glycines-susceptible cultivars A2575, A3127, and Williams 82 were determined in three sets of experiments. In the first experiment, cysts of both race 3 and race 4 were exposed to leachate of 8-week-old plants for a 2-week period. In the second experiment, cysts from populations of races 3 and 4 were raised on cultivars A2575, A3127, and Williams 82. Cysts then were exposed to leachate from 8-week-old plants for a 2-week period in all possible race-per-cultivar combinations. In the third experiment, cysts of races 3 and 4 were exposed at 4-day intervals to leachate from plants as the plants developed 7 to 59 days after planting. In experiments 1 and 2, leachate from 8-week-old Williams 82 and A3127 stimulated more hatch and emergence of H. glycines than leachate from A2575, Fayette, or the control. In the first experiment, cumulative hatch and emergence were greater for race 3 than for race 4. In experiment 2, no apparent relationship developed between leachate from a cultivar and the population developed on that cultivar in terms of stimulation of hatch and emergence. In the third experiment, A2575 stimulated more hatch and emergence of both race 3 and race 4 than A3127, Fayette, and Williams 82. Leachate from Fayette stimulated less hatch and emergence of both race 3 and race 4. Hatch and emergence were greatest during the initial 12 days of the experiment.     

Histopathology of Soybean Roots Infected with Heliocotylenchus dihystera

Soybean roots infected with Helicotylenchus dihystera in a greenhouse were stained with acid fuchsin in lactophenol or sectioned and stained with safranin and fast green. Adults and larvae were observed in semi-endoparasitic and endoparasitic feeding positions. Adults, larvae and eggs were observed within the root cortex posterior to the region of maturation. Small brown lesions, affecting the walls of six to ten cells, were observed in the immediate vicinity of the nematode. Endoparasitic nematodes were usually coiled within the walls of one or two cells. Cytoplasm of the infected cells appeared normal, and there was no indication of nuclear proliferation. Walls of the infected cells were thickened and llgnified, but there was no indication of swelling or giant cell formation. Uncoiled nematodes usually were aligned parallel to the vascular tissue, but were not consistently oriented with respect to the root apex. Nematodes moved through cell walls rather than between them; however, no persistent burrows were observed.     

Effects and Dynamics of a Nematode Community on Soybean

The relationships between densities of all members of a plant-parasitic nematode community and yield of ''Davis'' soybean and between final and preplant population levels were examined in small plots on sandy soils in north-central Florida. Plant-parasitic nematodes present in the community included Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Criconemella sphaerocephala, Meloidogyne incognita, Paratrichodorus minor, Pratylenchus brachyurus, and Xiphinema sp. Plant growth, including stand count, soybean yield (kg/ha), and size of young plants, was occasionally inversely correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with densities of B. longicaudatus or P. brachyurus, but not with densities of other species or with a range of soil variables. The nature of this relationship varied with season, with more severe stand losses noted during 1987 than in 1988. Final population densities (Pf) of most nematode species showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) linear relationships to densities measured at planting or earlier (Pi). These relationships were stronger (higher r²) with the ectoparasite B. longicaudatus than with the endoparasites M. incognita and P. brachyurus. Criconemella sphaerocephala declined under soybean cultivation, reaching levels near zero after two seasons. A quadratic model showed an improvement (P ≤ 0.05) over the linear model in describing the relationship between Pf and Pi measured at planting for B. longicaudatus, and gave a better indication of the leveling off of Pf at high values of Pi.     

Management of Meloidogyne incognita with Chemicals and Cultivars in Cotton in a Semi-Arid Environment

Management of Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode) in cotton in the United States was substantially affected by the decision to stop production of aldicarb by its principle manufacturer in 2011. The remaining commercially available tools to manage M. incognita included soil fumigation, nematicide seed treatments, postemergence nematicide application, and cultivars partially resistant to M. incognita. Small plot field studies were conducted on a total of nine sites from 2011–2013 to examine the effects of each of these tools alone or in combinations, on early season galling, late-season nematode density in soil, yield, and value ($/ha = lint value minus chemical costs/ha). The use of a partially resistant cultivar resulted in fewer galls/root system at 35 d after planting in eight of nine tests, lower root-knot nematode density late in the growing season for all test sites, higher lint yield in eight of nine sites, and higher value/ha in six of nine sites. Galls per root were reduced by aldicarb in three of nine sites and by 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) in two of eight sites, relative to the nontreated control (no insecticide or nematicide treatment). Soil fumigation reduced M. incognita density late in the season in three of nine sites. Value/ha was not affected by chemical treatment in four of nine sites, but there was a cultivar × chemical interaction in four of nine sites. When value/ha was affected by chemical treatment, the nontreated control had a similar value to the treatment with the highest value/ha in seven of eight cultivar-site combinations. The next “best” value/ha were associated with seed treatment insecticide (STI) + oxamyl and aldicarb (similar value to the highest value/ha in six of eight cultivar-site combinations). The lowest valued treatment was STI + 1,3-D. In a semi-arid region, where rainfall was low during the spring for all three years, cultivars with partial resistance to M. incognita was the most profitable method of managing root-knot nematode in cotton.     

Interaction between Meloidogyne incognita and Hoplolaimus columbus on Davis Soybean

Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were performed to determine if an interaction exists between Meloidogyne incognita and Hoplolaimus columbus on Davis soybean. Greenhouse tests were performed with three population levels of M. incognita and H. columbus (0, 1,500, 6,000/1.5-liter pot) separately and in all combinations. Dry root weight (DRT) declined nonlinearly and dry shoot weight (DST) declined linearly with respect to increasing initial populations of M. incognita and H. columbus. When the two nematode species were added to the soil together, the amount of DRT and DST suppression by one species was dependent on the initial level of the concomitant species. The final root population of M. incognita or H. columbus declined linearly with increasing initial population density of the concomitant species. H. columbus suppressed M. incognita populations in the soil nonlinearly, but M. incognita had no effect on H. columbus.     

Variability in Reproduction of Four Races of Meloidogyne incognita on Two Cultivars of Soybean

Variability in the reproduction of the four races ofMeloidogyne incognita on the soybean cuhivars Pickett 71 and Centennial was studied in growth chamber experiments. Analysis of variance in the number of eggs produced by the races 6 weeks after the plants had been inoculated with 5,000 eggs of each race revealed that the nematode race by soybean cultivar interaction was highly significant (P = 0.001). Races 1, 3, and 4 produced from about 5,000 to 15,000 eggs per root system on Pickett 71 and only from about 300 to 600 eggs per root system on Centennial. In contrast, race 2 produced about 8,000 eggs per root system on Centennial and about 1,200 eggs per root system on Pickett 71. In a second experiment, in which the plants were inoculated with 2,000 second-stage juveniles, race 1 and race 2 produced about 13,000 and 3,000 eggs per root system, respectively, on Pickett 71 and about 600 and 10,000 eggs per root system, respectively, on Centennial. The results suggest that M. incognita resistance in soybean is race-specific.     

Aggressiveness and Reproduction of Four Meloidogyne arenaria Populations on Soybean

Aggressiveness and reproduction differed among four geographical populations of M. arenaria on six soybean cultivars in field microplots. These differences were consistent over 3 years. The populations did not differ in virulence; i.e., population by cultivar interactions were not significant. Perineal pattern morphology, the North Carolina differential host test, chromosome counts of immature oocytes, and esterase phenotypes confirmed that the four populations were M. arenaria. Three populations were host race 2 and one population was host race 1.     

Suppression of Meloidogyne chitwoodi with Sudangrass Cultivars as Green Manure

Meloidogyne chitwoodi race 1 reproduced on Piper sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), 332 (sudangrass hybrid), and P855F and P877F (sorghum-sudangrass hybrids), but failed to reproduce efficiently on Trudan 8, Trudex 9 (sudangrass hybrids), and Sordan 79, SS-222, and Bravo II (sorghum-sudangrass hybrids). Meloidogyne chitwoodi race 2 behaved similarly and reproduced more efficiently on Piper, P855F, and P877F than on Trudan 8, Trudex 9, or Sordan 79. The mean reproductive factor for M. chitwoodi races on the poorer hosts ranged from <0.1 to 0.9 under greenhouse and field conditions. Meloidogyne hapla failed to reproduce on any of the cultivars tested. In the laboratory, leaves of each cultivar chopped and incorporated as green manure reduced the M. chitwoodi population in infested soil more than unamended or wheat green manure treatments. Trudan 8, although limited to the zone of incorporation, protected this zone from colonization of upward migrating second stage juveniles (J2) for up to 6 weeks. Leaves of Trudan 8 but not roots were effective against M. chitwoodi, and J2 appeared to be more sensitive than egg masses. Trudan 8 and Sordan 79 as green manure reduced M. chitwoodi in bucket microplots under field conditions.     

Population Dynamics of Criconemoides simile on Soybean

Custer and Hood soybean cultivars were inoculated with nine levels of Criconemoides simile ranging from 300 to 20,600 nematodes per plant. Rate of reproduction decreased as inoculum level was increased beyond 900-2,000 nematodes. Final population density was influenced by both composition and level of inoculum. There was an indication that substance(s). inhibitory to larvae, accumnlated in soil in which Hood was grown for 11 months, Significant reduction of fresh weight of roots of Hood, but not Custer, occurred at population densities of 37,000 and 44,700 nematodes per plant.