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Title: EFFECT OF COASTAL BERMUGRASS ROTATIONS ON MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA AND VEGETABLE CROPS.

Author
item Johnson, Alva
item Burton, Glenn
item Wilson, Jeffrey - Jeff
item Golden, A

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The number of nematicides and fungicides available for use by vegetable producers is limited and the cost of these pesticides is high. More non-chemical methods are needed for managing nematodes and soilborne diseases on vegetable crops. Management of root-knot nematodes and soilborne fungal pathogens on vegetable crops should be enhanced by gaining more information on nematode and fungi population changes as influenced by coastal bermudagrass sod-base rotations. The efficacy of clean fallow and coastal bermudagrass sod-base rotations for control of root-knot nematodes and soilborne fungi in okra, squash, and sweet corn was determined in a 3-year field trial. Numbers of root-knot nematodes in the soil and root galls were greater on okra and squash than sweet corn, and declined over the years on vegetable crops following fallow and coastal bermudagrass sod. Wilt organisms were isolated most frequently from soil and dying okra plants. Yields of okra following 2-year and 3-year sod and squash following 2-year sod were greater than those following fallow. Yield of sweet corn was not different following fallow and coastal bermudagrass sod. The use of forage crops in rotation with vegetable crops to manage disease problems is attractive to growers with cattle operations.

Technical Abstract: The efficacy of fallow and coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) as a rotation crop for control of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita race 1) and soilborne fungi in okra (Hibiscus esculentus cv. Emerald), squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Dixie Hybrid), and sweet corn (Zea mays cv. Merit) was evaluated in a 3-year field trial. Numbers of M. incognita in the soil and root-gall indices were greater on okra and squash than sweet corn, and declined over the years on vegetable crops following fallow and coastal bermudagrass sod. Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium spp. were isolated most frequently from soil and dying okra plants. Numbers of colony forming units of soilborne fungi generally declined as the number of years in sod increased, but were not affected by coastal bermudagrass sod. Yields of okra following 2-year and 3- year sod and squash following 2-year sod were greater than those following fallow. Yield of sweet corn was not different following fallow and coastal bermudagrass sod.