Barriers to movement and spread of Radopholus similis in anthurium

Authors: SIPES, BRENT - University Of Hawaii; Myers, Roxana; LICHTY, JOANNE - University Of Hawaii; SEWAKE, KELVIN - University Of Hawaii

Submitted to: APS Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2015
Publication Date: 8/1/2015
Citation: Sipes, B., Myers, R.Y., Lichty, J., Sewake, K. 2015. Barriers to movement and spread of Radopholus similis in anthurium. APS Annual Meeting. Poster No. 100-P.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Radopholus similis, the causal agent of anthurium decline, is challenging to manage in anthurium cut flower production. Management can include preplant soil fumigation and the planting of nematode-free anthurium into the field. However, nematodes reinfect the newly planted anthurium quickly through movement from nearby infections or from fumigation escapes. Plant bags and weed mat may serve as barriers to nematode movement and assist in controlling the spread of R. similis in anthurium. A factorially arranged experiment with treatments of ± R. similis, ± bag, and ± weed mat was established in a shade house. Plots consisting of 9 anthurium plants arranged in 3 rows were replicated three times. The two center plants were inoculated with 1000 R. similis and the four corner sentinel plants were sampled 6 months later. Roots were collected and placed in a mist chamber to extract nematodes. Samples from plots positive for nematodes were notated as having nematode spread. Within 6 months of inoculation, sentinel plants growing in the ground in cinders (commercial standard practice) were infected with nematodes whether the inoculated plants were also in the ground, in bags or in bags on weed mat. In one plot, sentinel plants in bags placed on weed mat had also become infected with nematodes. In general, weed mat was a more effective barrier preventing movement of R. similis to uninfected plants more than growing the anthurium in bags.