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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #248301
Title: Variable Rate Application of Nematicides on Cotton Fields: A Promising Site-Specific Management Strategy

Author
item ORTIZ, B - Auburn University
item PERRY, C - University Of Georgia
item SULLIVAN, D - Turf Scout,llc
item KEMERAIT, R - University Of Georgia
item Davis, Richard

Submitted to: International Conference on Precision Agriculture Abstracts & Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2010
Citation: Ortiz, B., Perry, C., Sullivan, D., Kemerait, R., Davis, R.F. 2010. Variable Rate Application of Nematicides on Cotton Fields: A Promising Site-Specific Management Strategy. International Conference on Precision Agriculture Abstracts & Proceedings. 2010.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yield losses associated with southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita] (RKN) parasitism have increased during the last 20 years. The hypothesis that variable rate application of nematicides can reduce yield losses and reduce the risk for under- and over-application of nematicides was tested in various cotton farmers’ fields, located in the Southeast USA during 2007 and 2008. The impact of two nematicides [1,3-Dichloropropene (Telone® II) and Aldicarb (Temik)] applied at two rates and a seed treatment (Avicta) on root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita] (RKN) population density and lint yield were compared across previously determined RKN management zones. The zones were delineated using fuzzy clustering of various surrogate data for soil texture. All treatments were randomly allocated among blocks that spanned the entire length of the fields. Experimental sampling plots (16 rows by 100 feet long) including all the treatments were randomly selected within each zone to collect RKN population density and yield. A consolidated analysis of the RKN population density by zone-treatment showed that regardless of the zone there were no differences between Temik rates (6lbs ac-1and 3lbs ac-1) or Telone rates (3 gal ac-1and 6 gal ac-1). The results across zones showed that, Telone® II provided better RKN control compared to Temik in high risk zones, comprised of more coarse-textured, sandy soil. However, in low risk zones, which were comprised of finer sand particle size compared to the high risk zones, the application of any of the treatments provided sufficient control to maintain RKN populations below the recommend threshold (100 juveniles 100 cc-1). The results from this study clearly showed that RKN control and final yield varied with respect to the nematicide type and rate across management zones (MZ). These results are promising and support the idea of variable rate nematicide applications based on RKN management zones.

Technical Abstract: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yield losses associated with southern root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita] (RKN) parasitism have increased during the last 20 years. The hypothesis that variable rate application of nematicides can reduce yield losses and reduce the risk for under- and over-application of nematicides was tested in various cotton farmers’ fields, located in the Southeast USA during 2007 and 2008. The impact of two nematicides [1,3-Dichloropropene (Telone® II) and Aldicarb (Temik)] applied at two rates and a seed treatment (Avicta) on root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita] (RKN) population density and lint yield were compared across previously determined RKN management zones. The zones were delineated using fuzzy clustering of various surrogate data for soil texture. All treatments were randomly allocated among blocks that spanned the entire length of the fields. Experimental sampling plots (16 rows by 100 feet long) including all the treatments were randomly selected within each zone to collect RKN population density and yield. A consolidated analysis of the RKN population density by zone-treatment showed that regardless of the zone there were no differences between Temik rates (6lbs ac-1and 3lbs ac-1) or Telone rates (3 gal ac-1and 6 gal ac-1). The results across zones showed that, Telone® II provided better RKN control compared to Temik in high risk zones, comprised of more coarse-textured, sandy soil. However, in low risk zones, which were comprised of finer sand particle size compared to the high risk zones, the application of any of the treatments provided sufficient control to maintain RKN populations below the recommend threshold (100 juveniles 100 cc-1). The results from this study clearly showed that RKN control and final yield varied with respect to the nematicide type and rate across management zones (MZ). These results are promising and support the idea of variable rate nematicide applications based on RKN management zones.