Abstract
In turfgrass systems, nematicides are a valuable tool for managing plant-parasitic nematode populations, but few studies have examined nematicide effects on non-target nematodes. The study evaluated effects of turfgrass nematicide formulations of abamectin (Divanem SC), fluopyram (Indemnify), furfural (MultiGuard Protect EC), and fluensulfone (Nimitz Pro G) on non-target nematode populations in bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). Nematicides were applied at labeled rates every four weeks as a summer treatment program from June 7, 2016 to August 30, 2016 and April 24, 2017 to July 18, 2017. Samples were collected before the initial treatment and 2 d, 14 d, 56 d, and 238 d after the final treatment in both years for nematode community analysis. Data from each nematicide treatment were compared to the untreated at each sample date using analysis of covariance with initial population counts serving as the covariate. Abamectin had moderate impact and fluopyram had substantial impact on the non-target nematodes. Furfural and fluensulfone had minimal impact on non-target nematodes. The results of this study suggest nematicides can impact non-target nematode densities in bermudagrass.
Highlights
Turfgrass (Cynodon spp.) is an important horticultural crop in the Southeastern United States
We predicted nematicide applications would significantly affect nematode community structure by decreasing the number of nematodes belonging to high trophic levels and increased abundance from low trophic level nematodes
Fluopyram had the greatest impacts on nematode functional groups followed by abamectin in this study
Summary
Turfgrass (Cynodon spp.) is an important horticultural crop in the Southeastern United States. Plant-parasitic nematodes are an important pathogen of turfgrass. Nematicides have been shown to reduce plant-parasitic nematodes, but few studies have evaluated the effect on non-parasitic nematodes. These include bacterial-feeding (bacterivores), fungal-feeding (fungivores), omnivorous (omnivores), and predaceous (predatory) nematodes. Studying population changes of nematode functional groups can provide insight into potential effects of nematicides on soil health (Ferris et al, 2001). We conducted nematicide treatment programs in order to better understand potential non-target effects on non-herbivore free-living nematode community structure. We predicted nematicide applications would significantly affect nematode community structure by decreasing the number of nematodes belonging to high trophic levels and increased abundance from low trophic level nematodes
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