Cotton Nematode Cotton Nematode ManagementManagement

Jimmy R. Rich and Mike Donahoe Jimmy R. Rich and Mike Donahoe

Nematode Nematode FactsFacts

Nematodes are HighlyNematodes are HighlyUnderrated PestsUnderrated Pests

Most numerous animal (s) in the world Most numerous animal (s) in the world Are the second most in number of Are the second most in number of

animal speciesanimal species Over 6000 known plant-parasitic Over 6000 known plant-parasitic

speciesspecies Nematodes attack all crop plantsNematodes attack all crop plants Present in greater than 90% of Present in greater than 90% of

Florida cotton Florida cotton

Nematode AnatomyNematode Anatomy

Nematodes in RootsNematodes in Roots

Plant-Parasitic Nematode Plant-Parasitic Nematode Stylet (Spear)Stylet (Spear)

Plant Nematode FactsPlant Nematode Facts

Mainly plant root parasitesMainly plant root parasites Very small - mostly microscopicVery small - mostly microscopic Five life stages (plus egg) Five life stages (plus egg) Mostly wormlike in shapeMostly wormlike in shape Some female nematodes swollenSome female nematodes swollen Life cycle - every 20-30 daysLife cycle - every 20-30 days Female produces 300-400 eggsFemale produces 300-400 eggs Over one season - 1 female = 8 billion Over one season - 1 female = 8 billion

and more nematodes (hence the and more nematodes (hence the problem!!) problem!!)

Nematodes Nematodes in in Florida Florida CottonCotton

Major Florida CottonMajor Florida Cotton Nematode Pests Nematode Pests

In order of importance:In order of importance:

Southern Root-Knot Nematode, Southern Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognitaMeloidogyne incognita

Reniform NematodeReniform Nematode

Rotylenchulus reniformisRotylenchulus reniformis

Sting NematodeSting Nematode

Belonolaimus longicaudatusBelonolaimus longicaudatus

North Florida CottonNorth Florida CottonNematode Survey 2004Nematode Survey 2004

A survey was conducted in three A survey was conducted in three counties: Santa Rosa, Escambia, and counties: Santa Rosa, Escambia, and OkaloosaOkaloosa

Cotton fields randomly chosen by agentsCotton fields randomly chosen by agents Survey included 61 soil samples Survey included 61 soil samples

in about 35 fieldsin about 35 fields Sample represented 10-12 soil Sample represented 10-12 soil

cores taken in 15-20 acres each cores taken in 15-20 acres each

Cotton Nematode Survey Cotton Nematode Survey 20042004

NematodeNematode Sample Sample content (%)content (%)

Root-KnotRoot-Knot 4848

ReniformReniform 4242

NoneNone 1010

Damaging Nematode Levels Damaging Nematode Levels

for Following Year Cottonfor Following Year Cotton

CountyCountyYesYes LikelyLikely NoNo

--------- Sample, % --------- Sample, % ------------------

OkaloosaOkaloosa 4545 2727 2727

EscambiaEscambia 4646 2929 2525

Santa Santa RosaRosa

5858 3535 88

AverageAverage 5050 3030 2020

Plant and Plant and Root Root Damage Damage SymptomsSymptoms

Premature wilting in spots on Premature wilting in spots on plant or field ie spotsplant or field ie spots

Leaf yellowing (some)Leaf yellowing (some)Plant stunting (stunted Plant stunting (stunted

growth)growth) Irregular (oval) Irregular (oval)

symptom patternssymptom patternsRow patterns rarely evidentRow patterns rarely evidentNutrient deficiency symptomsNutrient deficiency symptoms

Foliar Damage SymptomsFoliar Damage Symptoms Water and Nutrient Stress Water and Nutrient Stress

Cotton Field AbandonedCotton Field AbandonedDue to Nematode DamageDue to Nematode Damage

Young Cotton StuntedYoung Cotton Stunted by Nematodes by Nematodes

Nematode Damage Nematode Damage Following Following

Soil Type ChangeSoil Type Change

Damage on Damage on Maturing CottonMaturing Cotton

Purpling of Cotton LeavesPurpling of Cotton Leaves by Reniform Nematodes by Reniform Nematodes

Plant Root DamagePlant Root Damage

Stunted rootsStunted rootsFewer feeder rootsFewer feeder rootsRoot galling and swellingRoot galling and swellingRoot cell death or cell Root cell death or cell

malfunctionmalfunctionOpenings for disease organismsOpenings for disease organisms

Root-Knot Nematode Root-Knot Nematode Galling Galling

on Roots, Not Very on Roots, Not Very ApparentApparent

Female Root-Knot with Female Root-Knot with Eggs, Root is the Size of a Eggs, Root is the Size of a

PinheadPinhead

Reniform Nematode Reniform Nematode Females Females

Always Outside Root, No Always Outside Root, No Root GallingRoot Galling

Nematode Damage Nematode Damage SymptomsSymptoms

When damage symptoms are When damage symptoms are observed in the field, losses have observed in the field, losses have been occurringbeen occurring over several years over several years

Most times nematodes cause Most times nematodes cause economic losses without obvious economic losses without obvious symptomssymptoms

Comparison of Nematode Comparison of Nematode Damage Symptoms on Damage Symptoms on

CottonCottonRoot-KnotRoot-Knot ReniformReniform

Galled rootsGalled roots No gallingNo galling

Little leaf Little leaf discoloringdiscoloring

Leaf purplingLeaf purpling

Irregular patchesIrregular patches General declineGeneral decline

Patches obviousPatches obvious Less obviousLess obvious

Sands, loamsSands, loams Loams, claysLoams, clays

Lower numbersLower numbers Higher numbersHigher numbers

Nematode Nematode Problem Problem

AssessmentAssessment

Know Your NematodesKnow Your Nematodes

Each nematode species is Each nematode species is ‘different’‘different’

Management techniques Management techniques should be ‘nematode specific’ should be ‘nematode specific’

Rotations must be planned for Rotations must be planned for ‘key’ nematode pests ‘key’ nematode pests

Nematicide rates can be Nematicide rates can be adjusted for nematode speciesadjusted for nematode species

Problem IdentificationProblem Identification

Foliar symptoms – stunted ovals/declineFoliar symptoms – stunted ovals/decline Root symptoms – roots galled/stuntedRoot symptoms – roots galled/stunted Cropping history – declining yields and Cropping history – declining yields and

previous host cropsprevious host crops Laboratory analysis – which nematode Laboratory analysis – which nematode

type and numbers are present type and numbers are present

Nematode Soil Samples Nematode Soil Samples Problem IDProblem ID

Take anytime during crop maturity and Take anytime during crop maturity and prior to planting, best time is prior to planting, best time is soon after soon after harvestharvest

Can take samples for nematodes when Can take samples for nematodes when collecting soil fertility samplescollecting soil fertility samples

Split soil samples, one for nematode Split soil samples, one for nematode analysis and one for fertility (1 pint each)analysis and one for fertility (1 pint each)

Remember Remember extra careextra care is required for is required for nematode samples nematode samples

Handling Nematode Handling Nematode Soil SamplesSoil Samples

Sample 8-10” deep if possibleSample 8-10” deep if possible Sample only in moist soils – Sample only in moist soils – Not Not

dry or wetdry or wet Only use plastic bags which Only use plastic bags which

prevents soil dryingprevents soil drying Do not allow samples to become Do not allow samples to become

hot or coldhot or cold

Tools for taking nematode Tools for taking nematode soil samplessoil samples

Choice of sampling Choice of sampling toolstools

Plastic bagPlastic bag

Permanent ink Permanent ink marker marker

BucketBucket

Ten Acre Sampling Ten Acre Sampling PatternsPatterns

(Take 15 To 20 Cores)(Take 15 To 20 Cores)

Centered Grid Intersected Grid

Zig ZagRandom

Managing Managing Cotton Cotton

NematodesNematodes

Management MethodsManagement Methods

NEMATICIDES NEMATICIDES RotationRotationSanitation Sanitation ResistanceResistance

Cotton NematicidesCotton Nematicides

Temik 15G - Bayer Temik 15G - Bayer CropScienceCropScience

Telone II - Dow AgroSciencesTelone II - Dow AgroSciences

Nemacur - Bayer CropScienceNemacur - Bayer CropScience (cancellation notice for 2007)(cancellation notice for 2007)

Temik 15G Product Temik 15G Product InformationInformation

Sold only as a 15% granular formulation

Formulation usually clay based

Used at-planting as a band or in-furrow

Pinhead square side dress applications can also be made

Temik 15G rarely kills nematodes (mainly paralyzes them)

Telone II Product Telone II Product Information Information

Sold as liquid Sold as liquid formulation onlyformulation only

Movement by fumigant Movement by fumigant action in the soil action in the soil

Applied preplant Applied preplant injected to 14 inches injected to 14 inches depth (do not apply in depth (do not apply in clay subsoil)clay subsoil)

Usually applied with a Usually applied with a single in-row chisel in single in-row chisel in cottoncotton

Telone II kills Telone II kills nematodes on contactnematodes on contact

Telone and Temik Are Telone and Temik Are Restricted Use Restricted Use

PesticidesPesticides Reminder - both products have specific Reminder - both products have specific

use restrictions!!use restrictions!! Temik has special reporting and use Temik has special reporting and use

requirements in Floridarequirements in Florida Temik 15G forms and other Temik 15G forms and other

requirements requirements can be found at FDACS Web Site - can be found at FDACS Web Site - http://www.safepesticideuse.comhttp://www.safepesticideuse.com

Florida Cotton Nematicide Florida Cotton Nematicide RecommendationsRecommendations

Temik 15GTemik 15G (In Furrow) (In Furrow) Root-knot nematode – 7 lb./ARoot-knot nematode – 7 lb./A Reniform nematode – 5 lb./AReniform nematode – 5 lb./A

Telone IITelone II (In Row, Single Chisel) (In Row, Single Chisel) Root-knot nematode – 4-5 Root-knot nematode – 4-5

gal./Agal./A Reniform nematode – 3 gal./A Reniform nematode – 3 gal./A

Comparative Cotton Comparative Cotton Yields Recommended Yields Recommended

RatesRates

Telone IITelone II (in-row application) (in-row application) Root-knot – 1 gal = Minimum 50 lb. Root-knot – 1 gal = Minimum 50 lb.

lint/Alint/A Reniform – 1 gal = Minimum 35 lb. Reniform – 1 gal = Minimum 35 lb.

lint/Alint/A

Temik 15GTemik 15G (at-planting application) (at-planting application) Root-knot & reniform – 1 lb. formulationRoot-knot & reniform – 1 lb. formulation = 8-10 lb. lint/A (variable)= 8-10 lb. lint/A (variable)

Farmer Field Farmer Field DemonstrationDemonstration

No Treatment Telone II

‘‘Other’ NematicidesOther’ Nematicides

Mocap – Bayer CropScienceMocap – Bayer CropScienceVydate - DuPontVydate - DuPontCounter - BASFCounter - BASFFuradanFuradan - FMC - FMC Vapam – AmVac CorporationVapam – AmVac CorporationChlor-O-Pic - Hendrix and DialChlor-O-Pic - Hendrix and Dial

Management MethodsManagement Methods

NematicidesNematicidesROTATION ROTATION Sanitation Sanitation ResistanceResistance

Rotation Rotation Know what nematode(s) are present Know what nematode(s) are present Use poor or nonhosts crops and Use poor or nonhosts crops and

rotate for at least two yearsrotate for at least two years Consider using a nematicide Consider using a nematicide

if rotating only one year if rotating only one year Reniform nematode rotation: Reniform nematode rotation:

corn, sorghum, and peanuts corn, sorghum, and peanuts are nonhosts; tobacco and are nonhosts; tobacco and soybeans are poor to moderate soybeans are poor to moderate hosts. Cucurbits are good hosts.hosts. Cucurbits are good hosts.

Root-knot nematodes have a wide Root-knot nematodes have a wide host range (see Cotton Management host range (see Cotton Management Guide for host list). Guide for host list).

Management MethodsManagement Methods

NematicidesNematicidesRotationRotationSANITATION SANITATION ResistanceResistance

Sanitation NotesSanitation Notes Control weeds, many are nematode Control weeds, many are nematode

hosts including Morningglory, hosts including Morningglory, Florida Pusley, Tropical Spiderwort, Florida Pusley, Tropical Spiderwort, Nut Sedge, etc.Nut Sedge, etc.

Prevent crop regrowth in peanut Prevent crop regrowth in peanut and cotton to stop nematode and cotton to stop nematode population increase in the fall population increase in the fall

Perennial grass rotation Perennial grass rotation (bahiagrass) does not work with (bahiagrass) does not work with weed hosts presentweed hosts present

Nematode Weed Hosts in Nematode Weed Hosts in Bahiagrass PastureBahiagrass Pasture

Frequently Frequently Asked Asked

QuestionsQuestions

Is GPS/GIS Variable Rate Is GPS/GIS Variable Rate Nematicide Application Nematicide Application

Feasible?Feasible?This is ‘doable’ technologyThis is ‘doable’ technology Is it economical?Is it economical? System Needs:System Needs:

Accurate nematode population Accurate nematode population distribution map of a field, distribution map of a field, alternatively, a yield monitor map alternatively, a yield monitor map linked to nematode populationslinked to nematode populations

Programmed GPS unit programmed Programmed GPS unit programmed for nematicide rate based on the for nematicide rate based on the nematode distribution mapnematode distribution map

Equipment suitable for nematicide Equipment suitable for nematicide rate adjustment rate adjustment

What Is The Link Between What Is The Link Between Nematodes And Fusarium Nematodes And Fusarium

Wilt In Cotton?Wilt In Cotton? Fusarium is a soilborne fungus that Fusarium is a soilborne fungus that

causes cotton to wilt and die.causes cotton to wilt and die. Most cotton varieties have Fusarium wilt Most cotton varieties have Fusarium wilt

resistance thanks to efforts by breeders.resistance thanks to efforts by breeders. However, when nematodes are present, However, when nematodes are present,

they break this Fusarium wilt resistance.they break this Fusarium wilt resistance. Thus, two problems result, nematode Thus, two problems result, nematode

damage and Fusarium wilt in cotton.damage and Fusarium wilt in cotton.

Cotton and Peanut Cotton and Peanut RotationRotation

Cotton is attached by the southern root-knot Cotton is attached by the southern root-knot and reniform nematodes.and reniform nematodes.

Peanut is affected by the peanut root-knot and Peanut is affected by the peanut root-knot and lesion nematodes.lesion nematodes.

This makes for a good rotation to reduce This makes for a good rotation to reduce nematode problems in each crop.nematode problems in each crop.However, do not use the same crop two years However, do not use the same crop two years

in a row.in a row.Cotton, peanut, cotton, peanut are better Cotton, peanut, cotton, peanut are better

rotations but must be supplemented with low rotations but must be supplemented with low nematicide rates.nematicide rates.

The best rotation is adding another crop in The best rotation is adding another crop in the sequence – corn (sorghum), soybean the sequence – corn (sorghum), soybean (resistant), or perennial grass crops.(resistant), or perennial grass crops.

Additional Additional InformationInformation

Visit the UF/IFAS EDIS Web Visit the UF/IFAS EDIS Web Site -Site -http://edis.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

Search for ‘Cotton Search for ‘Cotton Nematodes’Nematodes’