Effect of Soil Type on Population Densities of Nematodes in Soybean Rotation Fields

The effect of soil type on population densities of plant parasitic nematode species in 17 field blocks of four different soil types rotated to corn, soybeans, wheat, and forage mixtures was investigated during a generally droughty 5-year period. High densities of Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus were found in dark silty clay loams. Highest densities of Tylenchorhynchus acutus were also in one of the dark-colored silty clay loams. Light-colored silt loams favored development of Paratylenchus projectus, which developed poorly in the darker soils. Comparable densities of Xiphinema americanum were found in all soils and on all crops, regardless of soil type. Tylenchorhynchus martini, although present, did not build up in any of the soils. Populations of Pratylenchus species were generally low in the rotated blocks of all soil types.     

Population Densities of Nematodes Under Seven Tillage Regimes

Numbers of plant-parasitic nematodes on corn growing under seven tillage regimes were monitored. Differences among treatments occurred for Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Pratylenchus spp., Xiphinema americanum, dorylaimids, and total numbers of nematodes. Except with members of the Tylenchinae, highest densities occurred in no-till ridge plots and lowest numbers occurred in spring- and fall-plowed pots.     

Community Structure of Plant-parasitic Nematodes Related to Soil Types in Illinois and Indiana Soybean Fields

Comparisons of plant parasitic nematode populations using a resemblance equation and community ordination showed that community structure tends to be similar on dark-colored, highly productive soybean soils throughout Indiana and Illinois. On lighter-colored soils community structures differed somewhat from those of darker soils and from each other.     

Crop Rotation and Herbicide Effects on Population Densities of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

The influence of herbicides and mono- and multicropping sequences on population densities of nematode species common in corn, cotton, peanut, and soybean fields in the southeastern United States was studied for 4 years. Each experimental plot was sampled at monthly intervals. The application of herbicides did not significantly affect nematode population densities. Meloidogyne incognita and Trichodorus christiei increased rapidly on corn and cotton, but were suppressed by peanut and soybean. More Pratylenchus spp. occurred on corn and soybean than on cotton and peanut. Criconemoides ornatus increased rapidly on corn and peanut, but was suppressed by cotton and soybean. Helicotylenchus dihystera was more numerous on cotton and soybean than on corn and peanut. Numbers of Xiphinema americanum remained low on all crops. The peanut sequence was the most effective monocrop system for suppressing most nematode species. Multi-crop systems, corn-peanut-cotton-soybean and cotton-soybean-corn-peanut, were equally effective in suppressing nematode densities.     

Plant-parasitic Nematodes in Loess Toposequences Planted with Corn

Populations of plant-parasitic nematodes in an Iowa cornfield were studied along north- and west-facing toposequences. Samples were collected monthly during the growing season. The greatest biomass for Xiphinema americanum occurred at the footslope on the north face. Paratylenchus microdorus had its greatest biomass at the summit position, generally more in the west- than in the north-facing slope. Pratylenchus spp. in the roots peaked at the toeslope in the north-facing slope, but at the footslope in the west-facing slope. Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus peaked at the backslope and the toeslope along the north- and west-facing slopes, respectively. Diversity, as computed for each plot by the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, was highest at the backslope in both toposequences.     

Field Interrelationships among Heterodera glycines,Pratylenchus scribneri,and Three Other Nematode Species Associated with Soybean

Field experiments were conducted in 1982 and 1983 to assess interactions between Heterodera glycines and Pratylenchus scribneri on soybean in southern Illinois. Soybean cyst nematode susceptible cultivar Williams 79 and resistant cultivar Fayette were treated or not treated with aldicarb 15G. Initial population densities were 35 H. glycines cysts containing eggs, 100 P. scribneri, 30 Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, 225 Paratylenchus projectus, and 85 Tylenchorhynchus martini per 250 cm³ soil in 1982, whereas in 1983 populations were 11 H. glycines cysts, 330 P. scribneri, and 620 H. pseudorobustus. In both years H. glycines populations increased on nontreated Williams 79, decreased on both treated and nontreated Fayette, and remained at initial levels on treated Williams 79. Recovery of P. scribneri per gram dry root was different between nontreated cultivars in 1982 but not in 1983. Aldicarb treatment suppressed soil and root populations of P. scribneri on both cultivars in both years. Populations of H. pseudorobustus, P. projectus, and T. martini at harvest indicated little population increase on either nontreated cultivar. In 1982 H. glycines caused yield suppression but P. scribneri did not, as differences in yield occurred between cultivars but not between aldicarb treatments. In 1983, however, there were no yield differences between cultivars, but aldicarb application resulted in yield increase in both cultivars. In 1983 the yield increase resulting from P. scribneri control was approximately 25%. No synergistic effect on yield was observed between H. glycines and P. scribneri.     

Community Analyses of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in the Kalsow Prairie,Iowa

Twenty-one species of plant-parasitic nematodes were recovered from 15 sites in the Kalsow Prairie, Iowa. Nematode communities were analyzed by prominence and importance values of the nematode species and also by diversity and concentration of dominance. The use of numbers and biomass were compared in indices of diversity and concentration of dominance. Tylenchorhynchus maximns ranked first in mean density/site, prominence value, and importance value, although it was not found as frequently as many other nematodes. Xiphinema americanum and T. maximus were among the dominant nematodes in 11 of 15 sites when biomass was used in the concentration-of-dominance index, but they were dominant in only five sites when numbers were used.     

Crop Yields and Nematode Population Densities in Triticale-Cotton and Triticale-Soybean Rotations

Triticale cv. Beagle 82, cotton cv. McNair 235, and soybean cv. Twiggs were arranged in three cropping sequences to determine the effects of fenamiphos and cropping sequence on nematode population densities and crop yields under conservation tillage for 4 years. The cropping sequences were triticale (T)-cotton (C)-T-C, T-soybean (S)-T-S, and T-C-T-S. Numbers of Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles declined on trificale but increased on cotton and soybean each year. Root-gall indices of cotton and soybean ranged from 1.00 to 1.08 (1 to 5 scale: 1 = 0%, 2 = 1% to 25%, 3 = 26% to 50%, 4 = 51% to 75%, and 5 = 76% to 100% of roots galled) each year and were not affected by fenamiphos treatment or cropping sequence. Numbers of Pratylenchus brachyurus were maintained on trificale and generally increased more on soybean than on cotton. Population densities of Helicotylenchus dihystera were near or below detection levels in all plots during the first year and increased thereafter in untreated plots in the T-C-T-C and T-S-T-S sequences. Generally, yields of triticale in all cropping sequences declined over the years. Yields of cotton and soybean were not affected by fenamiphos at 6.7 kg a.i./ha. Cotton and soybean were grown successfully with little or no suppression in yields caused by nematodes in conservation tillage following triticale harvested for grain.     

Regulation of Population Densities of Heterodera cajani and Other Plant-Parasitic Nematodes by Crop Rotations on Vertisols,in Semi-Arid Tropical Production Systems in India

The significance of double crop (intercrop and sequential crop), single crop (rainy season crop fallow from June to September), and rotations on densities of Heterodera cajani, Helicotylenchus retusus, and Rotylenchulus reniformis was studied on Vertisol (Typic Pellusterts) between 1987 and 1993. Cowpea (Vigna sinensis), mungbean (Phaseolus aureus), and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) greatly increased the population densities of H. cajani and suppressed the population densities of other plant-parasitic nematodes. Mean population densities of H. cajani were about 8 times lower in single crop systems than in double crop systems, with pigeonpea as a component intercrop. Plots planted to sorghum, safflower, and chickpea in the preceding year contained fewer H. cajani eggs and juveniles than did plots previously planted to pigeonpea, cowpea, or mungbean. Continuous cropping of sorghum in the rainy season and safflower in the post-rainy season markedly reduced the population density of H. cajani. Sorghum, safflower, and chickpea favored increased population densities of H. retusus. Adding cowpea to the system resulted in a significant increase in the densities of R. reniformis. Mean densities of total plant-parasitic nematodes were three times greater in double crop systems, with pigeonpea as a component intercrop than in single crop systems with rainy season fallow component. Cropping systems had a regulatory effect on the nematode populations and could be an effective nematode management tactic. Intercropping of sorghum with H. cajani tolerant pigeonpea could be effective in increasing the productivity of traditional production systems in H. cajani infested regions.     

Factors Affecting Population Trends of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on Rangeland Grasses

The effects of environmental conditions on population trends of plant-parasitic nematodes were studied in experimental plots of five wheatgrasses in the western Utah desert. In a 3-year (1984-86) field study, soil water and temperature affected the population trends of the ectoparasites, Tylenchorhynchus acutoides and Xiphinema americanum, and the migratory endoparasite, Pratylenchus neglectus, on Fairway crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum; ''Hycrest'' crested wheatgrass, A. cristatum X A. desertorura; ''Rosana'' western wheatgrass, Pascopyrum smithii; ''Oahe'' intermediate wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium; and RS-1 hybrid (Elytrigia repens X Pseudoroegneria spicata). The largest soil populations of these nematode species were collected in 1984 under good plant-growth conditions. A reduction in nematode populations occurred in 1985 and 1986, possibly because of low soil-water conditions. There was a positive relationship between high soil water and maximum population densities of T. acutoides in the spring and fall of 1984, and between low soil water and minimum population densities of the nematode in 1985 and 1986. Pratylenchus neglectus populations were affected by soil water, although to a lesser degree than the ectoparasitic nematodes. Population densities of the three nematode species were significantly lower in the drier years of 1985 and 1986 than in 1984. Nematode populations were greater at the lower soil depths in the fall than in the spring or summer.     

Cryofracturing for Scanning Electron Microscope Observations of Internal Structures of Nematodes

Nematodes were prepared for scanning electron microscopy by cryofracturing in ethanol and then by critical-point drying in carbon dioxide. Cross sections of Caenorhabditis briggsae and Xiphinema americanum showed the arrangement of the intestine, ovaries, muscle cells, and some layers of the cuticle. The technique is complementary to transmission electron microscopy and facilitates the interpretation of results from thin sections.     

Effect of Three Plant Species on Population Densities of Xiphinema americanum and X. rivesi

A taxonomic revision of the Xiphinema americanum species complex has necessitated a reexamination of the host range of species in the complex before recommendations can be made with confidence on the likelihood that specific crops will be damaged. Toward this end, populations of X. americanum and X. rivesi collected from apple orchards in eastern and western New York state were evaluated after 3 months in pots planted with cucumber, apple, or dandelion seedlings. Eastern and western New York populations of both nematode species declined on cucumber but increased to similar final densities on apple and dandelion.     

Managing Nematode Population Densities on Tomato Transplants Using Crop Rotation and a Nematicide

Millet, milo, soybean, crotalaria, and Norman pigeon pea were used in conjunction with clean fallow and a nematicide (fensulfothion) for managing nematode populations in the production of tomato transplants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Glean fallow was the most effective treatment in suppressing nematode numbers. After 2 years in tomato, root-knot nematodes increased in numbers to damaging levels, and fallow was no longer effective for complete control even in conjunction with fensulfothion. After 4 years in tomato, none of the crops used as summer cover crops alone or in conjunction with fensulfothion reduced numbers of root-knot nematodes in harvested tomato transplants sufficiently to meet Georgia certification regulations. Milo supported large numbers of Macroposthonia ornata and Pratylenchus spp. and crotalaria supported large numbers of Pratylenchus spp. Millet, milo, soybean, crotalaria, and pigeon pea are poor choices for summer cover crops in sites used to produce tomato transplants, because they support large populations of root-knot and other potentially destructive nematodes.     

Ectoparasitic Acugutturid Nematodes of Adult Lepidoptera

Noctuidonema guyaneme is an interesting ectoparasite of adult Lepidoptera that feeds on hosts from at least five families with its long stylet. Noctuidonema guyanense spends its entire life on the adult moth and is sustained as it is passed from moth to moth during host mating. Overlapping host generations are essential for parasite survival. This nematode occurs throughout tropical and subtropical America and is transported by at least one of its hosts, Spodoptera frugiperda, during migration to northern sites in the United States each spring. Noctuidonema guyanense debilitates its hosts. Research conducted to help determine the biological control importance of this nematode is reviewed. Two additional species, N. daptria and N. dibolia, are now known for Noctuidonema.     

Age Structure and Community Diversity of Nematodes Associated with Maize in Iowa Sandy Soils

Age structure of nematode populations around maize growing in sandy soils in Iowa was studied at soil depths of 0-15and 15-30 cm for 2 years. Numbers of Longidorus breviannulatus were generally greater at 0-15 cm than at 15-30 cm deep until mid to late season. The decline in numbers of females as the season progressed indicates that fecundity slowed and is evidence of only one generation per year. Peak populations of Pratylenchus scribneri and Xiphinema americanum occurred in late August or early September. Adults of Hoplolaimus galeatus were few in the roots but common in the soil, indicating that fertilization occurred mostly in the soil. Numbers of P. scribneri were generally greater at the lower depth, especially late in the season. Community diversity (H'') was less when nematode biomass was used instead of numbers. Numbers of H. galeatus did not decline over the winter. Numbers of L. breviannulatus, P. scribneri, and X. americanum declined significantly over the winter, but not between spring cultivation and planting.     

Effects of Potato-Cotton Cropping Systems and Nematicides on Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Crop Yields

Belonolaimus longicaudatus has been reported as damaging both potato (Solanum tuberosum) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). These crops are not normally grown in cropping systems together in areas where the soil is infested with B. longicaudatus. During the 1990s cotton was grown in a potato production region that was a suitable habitat for B. longicaudatus. It was not known how integrating the production of these two crops by rotation or double-cropping would affect the population densities of B. longicaudatus, other plant-parasitic nematodes common in the region, or crop yields. A 3-year field study evaluated the viability of both crops in monocropping, rotation, and double-cropping systems. Viability was evaluated using effects on population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes and yields. Rotation of cotton with potato was found to decrease population densities of B. longicaudatus and Meloidogyne incognita in comparison with continuous potato. Population densities of B. longicaudatus following double-cropping were greater than following continuous cotton. Yields of both potato and cotton in rotation were equivalent to either crop in monocropping. Yields of both crops were lower following double-cropping when nematicides were not used.     

Relationship between Cultural Factors and Nematodes on Merion Kentucky Bluegrass

A 2-year study was conducted on Merion Kentucky bluegrass turf (Poa pratensis) to identify potential relationships among seasonal population dynamics of nematodes, chemical applications, thatch, tillering, dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, clipping weight, and other factors. Numbers of Tylenchorhynchus maximus determined during June were inversely related to the wet weight of grass from May. One or more monthly counts of Paratylenchus hamatus, Criconemella rusium, and T. maximus negatively correlated with the numbers of spring tillers. Applications of benomyl, used for dollar spot control, decreased numbers of T. maximus and free-living nematodes, and this chemical was associated with acidification of the thatch. Hoplolaimus galeatus levels were associated with an estimated 8% increase in the severity of dollar spot.     

Tropical Rotation Crops Influence Nematode Densities and Vegetable Yields

The effects of eight summer rotation crops on nematode densities and yields of subsequent spring vegetable crops were determined in field studies conducted in north Florida from 1991 to 1993. The crop sequence was as follows: (i) rotation crops during summer 1991; (ii) cover crop of rye (Secale cereale) during winter 1991-92; (iii) ''Lemondrop L'' squash (Cucurbita pepo) during spring 1992; (iv) rotation crops during summer 1992; (v) rye during winter 1992-93; (vi) ''Classic'' eggplant (Solanum melongena) during spring 1993. The eight summer crop rotation treatments were as follows: ''Hale'' castor (Ricinus communis), velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana), sesame (Sesamum indicum), American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana), weed fallow, ''SX- 17'' sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. sudanense), ''Kirby'' soybean (Glycine max), and ''Clemson Spineless'' okra (Hibiscus esculentus) as a control. Rotations with castor, velvetbean, American jointvetch, and sorghum-sudangrass were most effective in maintaining the lowest population densities of Meloidogyne spp. (a mixture of M. incognita race 1 and M. arenaria race 1), but Paratrichodorus minor built up in the sorghum-sudangrass rotation. Yield of squash was lower (P ≤ 0.05) following sorghum-sudangrass than after any of the other treatments except fallow. Yield of eggplant was greater (P ≤ 0.05) following castor, sesame, or American jointvetch than following okra or fallow. Several of the rotation crops evaluated here may be useful for managing nematodes in the field and for improving yields of subsequent vegetable crops.