Evaluation of a new chemical nematicide, fluazaindolizine (ReklemelTM active), for plant-parasitic nematode management in bermudagrass.

Will L Groover,Kathy S Lawrence

doi:10.21307/jofnem-2021-043

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major pest of turfgrass in the United States, yet there are few options for successful management. Most current management strategies rely on the use of a limited number of chemical nematicides, so finding a new management option for nematode suppression would be extremely valuable for turfgrass managers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new nematicide, fluazaindolizine (Reklemel™ active), for its ability to reduce plant-parasitic nematode population density and improve turfgrass quality. Separate research trials were conducted on bermudagrass infested with Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Meloidogyne incognita in greenhouse, microplot, and field settings over 2018 and 2019. Both greenhouse evaluations demonstrated multiple rates of fluazaindolizine reduced B. longicaudatus population density, and one of the two M. incognita trials showed multiple rates of fluazaindolizine reduced nematode population density. Fluazaindolizine was also effective at reducing population density of both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita in microplot settings for both 2018 and 2019, and a significant improvement in turf quality was observed for both visual turfgrass ratings and NDVI. Field trials demonstrated a significant reduction for both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita population density by multiple rates of fluazaindolizine, but no significant differences in turf quality ratings were observed. Overall, fluazaindolizine shows promise as a chemical nematicide for plant-parasitic nematode management on turfgrass.

Highlights

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major pest of turfgrass in the United States, yet there are few options for successful management
In 2019, the 2.25 kg ai/ha and 4.5 kg ai/ha rates of fluazaindolizine as well as the fluopyram control significantly reduced B. longicaudatus population density compared to the untreated control (P ≤ 0.05) (Fig. 3)
In the 2018 M. incognita microplot evaluations, all nematicide treatments significantly reduced population density compared to the untreated control at both the August and September evaluation date (P ≤ 0.05) (Fig. 4A)

Summary

Introduction

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major pest of turfgrass in the United States, yet there are few options for successful management. Fluazaindolizine shows promise as a chemical nematicide for plant-parasitic nematode management on turfgrass. Production of this product was halted in 2007 and it is currently not available for use With this ban, turfgrass nematode management has shifted to newer and safer non-fumigant nematicides. Research trials conducted to evaluate fluopyram’s efficacy as a turfgrass nematicide have shown promise with a long residual of control (Baird et al, 2017; Crow et al, 2017) While each of these nematicides have been proven to provide benefit to plant-parasitic nematode management in turfgrass, recent research has shown that relying too heavily on one nematicide has the potential to hurt soil health (Thoden et al, 2020; Waldo et al, 2019). Finding new chemical nematicides to add to an integrated pest management program is always a valuable addition for turfgrass plant-parasitic nematode management

Objectives

Methods

Results