Abstract
Root-knot nematodes are important pests of cut foliage crops in Florida. Currently, effective nematicides for control of these nematodes on cut foliage crops are lacking. Hence, research was conducted at the University of Florida to identify pesticides or biopesticides that could be used to manage these nematodes. The research comprised on-farm, field, and greenhouse trials. Nematicide treatments evaluated include commercial formulations of spirotetramat, furfural, and Purpureocillium lilacinum (=Paecilomyces lilacinus) strain 251. Treatment applications were made during the spring and fall seasons according to manufacturer's specifications. Efficacy was evaluated based on J2/100 cm3 of soil, J2/g of root, and crop yield (kg/plot). Unlike spirotetramat, which did not demonstrate any measurable effects on Meloidogyne incognita J2 in the soil, furfural and P. lilacinum were marginally effective in reducing the population density of M. incognita on Pittosporum tobira. However, nematode reduction did not affect yield significantly. Although furfural and P. lilacinum have some potential for management of M. incognita on cut foliage crops, their use as a lone management option would likely not provide the needed level of control. Early treatment application following infestation provided greater J2 suppression compared to late application, suggesting the need for growers to avoid infested fields.
Highlights
Root-knot nematodes are important pests of cut foliage crops in Florida
Furfural and P. lilacinum reduced the population density of M. incognita J2/g of root compared to the untreated control in May 2012, whereas spirotetramat increased J2 in roots in September 2012 compared to the untreated (Fig. 2)
The results from small plot and on-farm experiments suggest that both furfural (MUL) and P. lilacinum (MEL) have the potential to reduce M. incognita J2 population densities under field conditions
Summary
Root-knot nematodes are important pests of cut foliage crops in Florida. Cut foliage crops and woody ornamentals are perennials that remain in the ground for decades; when root-knot nematode infestation occurs after planting, population densities may build up to very high numbers over time. The number of days a bunch remains green in storage is its vase life (Stamps, 1985) This plant is highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes (Crow, 2007) and the most prominent symptoms of root-knot nematode infestation on P. tobira are root galling, loss of root hairs, stunted growth, reduced yield, and susceptibility to Cercospora leaf spot caused by Cercospora pittospori (Baidoo et al, 2014). Control of root-knot nematodes on these crops has remained an important research priority for cut foliage growers for decades. The goal of this research was to identify effective pesticides or biopesticides currently on the market that can be used for management of root-knot nematodes on P. tobira. Furfural suppressed populations of Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, and Pratylenchus brachyurus on ‘Summer Crookneck’ squash (Rodriguez-Kabana et al, 1993)
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