Plant Parasitic Nematodes of Montana and Wyoming

Abstract

Montana is the second leading state in agricultural production in the United States behind Texas and crops provide one third of the estimated agricultural income in Montana. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the major field crop in Montana followed by barley (Hordeum vulgare), dry edible peas (Pisum sativum), canola (Brassica napus), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). In the recent years, area under pulse crops has increased in Montana. In Wyoming alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a leading hay crop followed by wheat (T. aestivum), corn (Zea mays) (for grain), sugarbeet (B. vulgaris), dry edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and oats (Avena sativa). Root lesion, Pratylenchus sp., sugarbeet cyst, Heterodera schachtii and, stem and bulb nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci, are the plant parasitic nematode (PPNs) species that are currently causing economic damage to wheat, sugarbeet and alfalfa production, respectively, in Montana and Wyoming combined. Recently, Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) has been recently reported in Montana. Continuous spread of CCN may pose serious threat to both Montana and Wyoming cereal production in the near future. Due to lack of availability and environmental concerns of applying nematicides for PPNs management, more applied research efforts are needed on the cultural management methods such as rotation with non-host crops. Long term research goals should aim at exploiting biological control methods for nematode management and integrating them with other cultural management practices for sustainable soil health. Statewide survey in both Montana and Wyoming should be conducted to assess the current status and geographical distribution of PPNs in both the states.