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Title: AGRONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF MELOIDOGYNE CHITWOODI IN THE USA

Author
item RIGA, E - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item Brown, Charles
item Mojtahedi, Hassan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2003
Publication Date: 10/15/2003
Citation: Riga, E., Brown, C.R., Mojtahedi, H. 2003. Agronomic significance and management of meloidogyne chitwoodi in the USA. Root-knot Nematode Workshop, October 2003, University of Wageningen, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Pacific Northwest (PNW) produces 55% of potatoes in the USA. However, the PNW potato industry is suffering from serious economic losses due to the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne chitwoodi. This nematode blemishes the potato tubers and renders them unmarketable. Presently, this nematode is effectively controlled by an environmentally hazardous and costly fumigant, Telone II. As an alternative to fumigation, we are using green manure, cover crops, organic amendments, organic nematicides, and crop rotation to control M. chitwoodi in the PNW. Also, research has been directed towards breeding for resistance to root-knot nematodes. In addition, we are developing and testing new nematicide compounds. Green manures and seed meals alone have reduced the nematode impact on potatoes by 50-80%. In addition, green manures have been used successfully in combination with contact nematicides and provided control against M. chitwoodi at a level comparable to soil fumigation. Our studies demonstrated that the use of green manures together with two years of crop rotation controlled M. chitwoodi to acceptable levels without the use of a nematicide. New potato resistant varieties have been developed by Dr. Brown and are tested in local fields. Studies using new resistant potatoes in combination to green manures and organic nematicides are in progress.