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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #159821
Title: EFFECTS OF COTTON AND ROTATION CROPS ON NEMATODES AND PLANT DISEASES

Author
item Davis, Richard
item KEMERAIT, R - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item WRIGHT, D - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item GAZAWAY, W - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item BRENNEMAN, T - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2004
Publication Date: 6/1/2004
Citation: Davis, R.F., Kemerait, R.C., Wright, D., Gazaway, W., Brenneman, T.B. 2004. Effects of cotton and rotation crops on nematodes and plant diseases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conferences, San Antonio, TX, January 5-9, 2004. p.60.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Crop rotation can reduce damage from nematodes and diseases, but rotation crops may be less profitable than cotton. Rotation crops will reduce damage in a subsequent cotton crop if nematode reproduction is limited on the rotation crop. Examples of useful rotation crops for reniform nematode suppression include corn, peanut, bahiagrass, and coastal bermudagrass; crops useful for southern root-knot nematode suppression include peanut, sorghum, and coastal bermudagrass. Crops that are generally susceptible to a specific nematode may have certain cultivars that are highly resistant, and the resistant varieties may be suitable for rotation with cotton. One year of a nematode-resistant rotation crop usually will have a significant effect, and two years will be sufficient to achieve the maximum benefit. Nematodes typically rebound to pre-rotation levels after only one year of cotton. Even several years of a poor host may have limited effect on fungal diseases. Direct effects of rotations on the fungus that causes Fusarium wilt are not known, but suppression of the southern root-knot nematode will reduce the amount of Fusarium wilt in a field because the nematode and the fungus have a synergistic interaction. Winter cover crops that are good nematode hosts can increase nematode population levels in a field if soil temperatures are sufficient. Nematode resistant cover crops will not reduce nematode levels compared to winter fallow, but they should be used when nematodes are present in a field because they will not increase nematode levels as a susceptible cover crop might. Weeds that are good hosts for nematodes can reduce the nematode-suppressive effect of a rotation crop.