ARS | Publication request: First report of Lance Nematode (Hoplolaimus magnistylus) on corn, soybean and cotton in Tennessee

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 22, 2013
Publication Date: March 14, 2013
Citation: Donald, P.A., Holguin, C.M., Agudelo, P.A. 2013. First report of Lance Nematode (Hoplolaimus magnistylus) on corn, soybean and cotton in Tennessee. Plant Disease. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-12-0881-PDN.

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes which feed on plant roots can cause yield loss for field crops. Plant resistance and/or crop rotation are often effective methods of reducing damage from plant-parasitic nematodes. A previously unreported lance nematode has been found in west Tennessee associated with roots of stunted corn, cotton and soybean plants. Greenhouse studies with this nematode placed on soybean roots have demonstrated that this nematode does feed on soybean roots. There is no known plant resistance for this nematode and the host range of corn, cotton and soybean indicate that common crop rotation will not reduce potentially damaging levels of the nematode. Therefore, yield loss could occur and no immediate management tool to reduce this nematode is present.

Technical Abstract: Lance nematode, Hoplolaimus galeatus, has been reported in Tennessee on field crops, forage pastures, home gardens, woody ornamentals, turf, and commercial vegetables across the state. In May 2011, another lance nematodes, H. magnistylus, was recovered from corn, cotton and soybean fields in west Tennessee associated with stunted plants. Greenhouse studies of plants inoculated with H. magnistylus produced plants with lesions on the roots and recovery of the nematode from the symptomatic roots. Hoplolaimus magnistylus has been found in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The extent of damage from the lance nematodes on field crops in Tennessee is unknown.