The need.  Plant-parasitic nematodes cause significant crop losses, damage and loss of quality on almost all agronomic and horticultural crops. Agronomic and horticultural cropping systems and their respective nematode pathogens are very diverse in the northeastern United States and relate to specific problems in other US states. The nematodes of concern include root-knot, root lesion and dagger nematodes as well as foliar, stem and bulb, cyst nematodes, and multiple nematode genera that attack turf. In the absence of traditional chemical nematicides, management of these nematodes in diverse cropping systems is challenging, especially when the goal is to concomitantly increase nematode community structure, which is considered an indicator of soil health. Climate change places additional stress on production in agricultural systems of the Northeast because higher regional temperatures and more erratic moisture patterns have exacerbated nematode damage. Traditionally minor nematode problems are exerting major negative influences on crop productivity as growing seasons lengthen and plants experience more growing degree-days. A regional comprehensive assessment of the impact of nematode control recommendations on nematode community structure and soil health for specific agronomic and horticultural production systems is urgently needed. This proposed new, five-year multistate project will build on progress made in developing ecologically based nematode control practices that are compatible with soil and plant health management in the current multistate project.

Importance of work and consequences if not done.  United States consumers demand high quality, readily available and inexpensive agricultural and horticultural products. For this to be achieved by Northeastern producers it is imperative that damaging nematodes are managed sustainably and soil health is maintained, increased or restored. High population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes result in low yields of poor-quality produce, making farming unprofitable. In general, high numbers of plant-parasitic nematodes are a key component of poor-quality soil. It is important to reduce negative impacts of plant-parasitic nematodes while fostering bacterial-feeding, fungal-feeding, omnivores and predatory nematodes, which are key components of soil food webs and are essential for optimal plant nutrition and biological control. Northeastern farmers are very interested in managing plant-parasitic nematodes in a sustainable manner while fostering soil health. For this, they seek significantly improved tools for nematode and soil management. In addition, new invasive nematodes such as that causing beech leaf disease are spreading through the Northeast, presenting a major threat to forest and ornamental trees. Similarly, endemic species from the southern states (such as FL, CA, HI) may potentially spread to other areas of the US. Without the research and education programs associated with this proposed project, the economic viability and soil health of the farms and forests of the Northeast region will be at risk of degradation to unacceptable levels.

Technical feasibility of work. The significant progress made by researchers contributing to the ongoing Multistate Research Project over the last few years is a strong indication that many plant-parasitic nematodes can be managed in a reliable manner with cultural controls based on host resistance, nematode-antagonistic cover crops for rotations, soil amendments, biological control agents, and low-risk pesticides. Research on management systems will include investigations of their ecological impacts. In the spirit of truly integrated systems, commercial nematicides are integrated into cultural and biological systems to evaluate their impacts on nematodes and nematode community structure and soil health. Members of the current project are currently working closely with sustainable plant and soil health management teams.

Advantages of a multistate effort.  Agriculture in the Northeast is extremely diverse and individual farms often grow multiple crops, increasing complexity of management decisions. The diverse nematode pathogens in these systems exacerbate management challenges. Grower education can also be complicated. Despite the great diversity of nematodes and cropping systems, there are relatively few nematologists in the Northeast and agricultural programs are smaller than those at Mid-western and Southern research institutions. Individual scientists are challenged to develop expertise on the biology, management and ecological aspects of all of the nematodes on all of the crops grown in their state. The project leverages on a strong network of nematologists from multiple states which allows for mutual learning and support on specific nematode problems. Scientists in this project that work on nematodes in similar systems outside the region contribute to the group’s knowledge. For example, important crops studied in the project include small fruits and tree fruits, diverse vegetables, row crops, turf, nursery and landscape ornamentals and even forest trees. Sharing knowledge and experience from areas that have larger focus on crops that are only minor in another state can lead to coordinated educational opportunities. Such synergism is very important for both research and outreach efforts. The current multistate project sponsored a nematology short course for agri-business that addressed the role of nematodes in crop losses and nematode management with rotation and cover crops as well as breeding crops for resistance to nematodes; conducted nematology short courses for turfgrass in Michigan and Rhode Island, presented a short course on agronomic crop nematodes for crop consultants in New York, and routine nematode management lectures for new farmers training program, GoFarm Hawaii (https://gofarmhawaii.org/), as well as a cover crop short course for farmers through an online Tovuti platform in Hawaii.  These short-courses were received extremely well by growers who favor this type of outreach and value direct contact. Future efforts will benefit from the interaction among scientists which is invaluable for developing efficient and collaborative research projects with scientists across states and institutions.

The NE regional nematology project has provided nematology leadership since its inception in 1954 and continues to provide a strong multistate foundation for nematologists from academia and USDA to work together on common research and education initiatives of significance to the overall well-being of the region. Private sector enterprises and government agencies do not have the nematology resources and institutional structures necessary to fulfill this critical need in a satisfactory manner.