Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Action Items/Assigned Responsibility/Deadlines/Target Dates

The participants introduced themselves. The minutes of the 2001 Annual Research Technical Committee meeting were approved for posting on the NE-171 website. George Abawi, Local Arrangements, welcomed everyone to New York.

Lou Magnarelli distributed a timetable for rewriting the NE-171 Project and discussed procedures for rewriting. A brief discussion ensued about the potential rewrite or revision of the project.

Jim LaMondia will be the Chair of the Committee for the next two years and Judy Thies will be the Chair-Elect. Nathan Mitkowski volunteered to be the next Secretary (replacing Judy Thies) and he was unanimously approved for the position by the Committee.

Judy Thies, Jim LaMondia, and Don Dickson were nominated and unanimously approved to serve on the writing committee. Judy Thies will chair the committee.

George Bird presented an excellent workshop titled The Identification of Free-Living Nematodes. The topic of the workshop was highly relevant to the NE-171 Committee because the first objective of the NE-171 project is to evaluate the effects of rotational crops, organic amendments and host crop genetics on nematode community structure, which includes free-living nematodes. George Abawi had arranged for a local microscope company to provide microscopes and video equipment for the workshop.

The 2003 meeting will be held in Rhode Island and Nathan Mitkowski will be the Local Arrangements Chair.

Summary of Discussions (Append distributed information):

Project members and collaborators from each of the states and USDA, ARS reported on their research during the previous year. Progress reports distributed during the meeting can be obtained from Lou Magnarelli, Sandra Sardanelli, or the respective project members.

The project milestones were reviewed and a consensus was reached that the current milestones have been met.

The theme and objectives for the new Project were discussed. Topics discussed included the role of nematode communities in soil health, sustainable soil management, and alternative strategies for managing nematodes.

Between Meeting Information and Exchange/Development Information:

The meeting report and minutes will be prepared by Jim LaMondia and Judy Thies, respectively, and sent electronically to Lou Magnarelli, Administrative Advisor, for approval. Jim LaMondia will post the approved report and minutes on the project web site.

The writing committee (Jim LaMondia, Don Dickson, and Judy Thies) will contact potential reviewers for the Project proposal in November and December 2002. Names, addresses, fax, and telephone numbers of at least 6 reviewers will be provided to Lou Magnarelli. The writing committee will also prepare and submit a request to write a proposal to Lou Magnarelli (for approval), who will then submit the approved request to the Directors Multistate Activities Committee for review in February or March 2003. After approval to write the project proposal is received, the writing committee will develop the proposal using input from NE-171 members, a CRIS search will be done, and the proposal will be distributed to NE-171 members for review (April  August 2003). Lou Magnarelli will electronically submit the project proposal to National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS) and reviewers and notify all Directors to enter scientists (Appendix E). NE-171 members will ask their Deans or Directors to complete Appendix E electronically. NE-171 members will discuss final changes for new project at the annual meeting in October 2003.

Objective 1: Evaluate the effects of rotational crops, organic amendments and host crop genetics on nematode community structure.

Complementary or collaborative studies to assess the impact of rotation and cover crops on plant-parasitic nematode populations and nematode community structure:

Dr. George Bird, Nematologist at Michigan State Univ., conducted a successful half-day workshop on the Characteristics of the Orders and Selected Taxa of the Nematoda at the 2002 NE-171 Technical Committee Meeting in Geneva, NY. The identification of free-living nematodes will assist researchers evaluating the impact of nematode management tactics on nematode community structure in soil. Dr. Bird has prepared chapters on ‘nematode biology and management‘ & ‘nematodes and soil quality‘ in two interdisciplinary MSUE Bulletins: Michigan Field Crop Ecology E-2646, and Michigan Field Crop Pest Ecology and Management E-2704.

Milestone 2002: Initiate research to determine the mechanism of nematode antagonism in rotation and cover crops.

(MD) An interdisciplinary IPMSARE team is now into the third year of a MD grower-generated project entitled Development and Evaluation of Management Alternatives for Root Knot Nematodes and Volunteer Potatoes. Fields in Maryland (MD) cropped repeatedly to vegetables have experienced significant losses due to root knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp. Maryland growers have expressed concern over sporadic but widespread surges of lesion nematode populations (Pratylenchus spp.), often associated with RKN from symptomatic fields. Both RKN and lesion nematodes have broad host ranges. Cooperators on the project include specialists in Field Crops, Entomology, Nematology and Vegetable Pathology along with the Dorchester County Extension Agent, IPM Scout and Dorchester County Growers. In this project, using a combination of on-farm (natural infestations) and micro-plot (artificially infested) experiments, sustainable management alternatives and their effect(s) on the plant-parasitic nematodes are being evaluated. Of all seasonal samplings and RKN life-stage evaluations (including root gall indices and root/egg harvest), Fall soil J2 sampling is showing the greatest significance as an indicator for detection and population evaluation purposes in MD.

7Milestone 2002: Evaluate the impact of rotation and cover crops and soil amendments on nematode populations.

(PA) Four different sources of compost were evaluated for ability to suppress plant-parasitic nematodes and weeds in a young apple orchard. Three composts were from commercial sources and one was a spent mushroom compost. Dagger nematode population levels were extremely variable and only very large differences were shown to be statistically different. Nevertheless, plots treated with five inches of mushroom compost consistently had the lowest nematode numbers and mushroom compost applied at two inches also showed relatively low nematode numbers throughout the study. Although no conclusions can be drawn, these data hint at the possibility that mushroom compost is suppressive to dagger nematodes. Likely candidates would be either the chemical composition or antagonistic microflora.
(PA) Treatment of orchard replant sites with Telone II soil fumigant reduced all plant-parasitic nematode populations to nearly undetectable levels. Rapeseed green manure treatments also reduced dagger and lesion nematodes but not as effectively as fumigation. However, in addition to nematode suppression, the rotation also provided an opportunity to bring broadleaf weeds under control, a major concern for the prevention of Peach Stem Pitting Disease. Tree growth data indicate that tree performance is nearly the same under all preplant treatments. Another year of observation is needed to determine if stem-pitting is confirmed in untreated fallow plots.

(NY) Onion germplasm consisting of >50 accessions of A. fistulosum, two sources of A. roylei, and several A. cepa were evaluated against M. hapla. All the materials evaluated were susceptible, but several accessions were found to be higher in tolerance than the commercial varieties in the tests. A cross of A. roylei and A. cepa (provided by Dr. Martha Mutchler at Cornell) was among the best materials tested.

(NY) Eight selected soybean cultivars were found to be good hosts to Pratylenchus penetrans. Incorporation of these cultivars as green manures 4 weeks before planting did not reduce the number of lesion nematodes in snap bean roots.

Objective 2: Characterization of biological control agents for suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes.

(USDA-ARS) Strains of rhizosphere-inhabiting bacteria, known to act against certain soilborne plant-pathogenic fungi, were tested in the greenhouse for ability to suppress root-knot nematode populations on cucumber roots. The greenhouse assay system identified a potentially useful bacterium. This bacterium was tested in the lab to determine whether natural products in culture filtrates suppressed egg hatch and juvenile mobility. A strain of Trichoderma virens was also tested for activity against Meloidogyne incognita on cucumber. Collaborators: Daniel Roberts (USDA ARS Sustainable Agriculture Systems Laboratory, Beltsville).

Obj. 2.1) Survey plant-pathogenic nematodes for occurrence of Pasteuria spp.

(FL) Environmental detection of endospores of Pasteuria spp. Conditions have been defined for the quantification of endospores of Pasteuria spp. using a monoclonal antibody directed against an epitope associated with the parasporal fibers that cover mature endospores. An amplification ELISA assay using biotinylated secondary antibody allows quantification to a minimum of 300 endospores per gram of soil. The assay is not affected by organic matter and is applicable to soils conducive to infestations with plant-parasitic nematodes. The assay has also been used to quantify the level of endospores in root tissues, and should be useful in assessing the potential levels of soil-borne endospores in subsequent plantings. The assay should be useful in assessing the extent to which soils are or may become suppressive for nematode infestations and thereby limit the need for other control measures.

Obj. 2.2) Determine the survivability and host preference of isolates of Pasteuria spp. from different geographic regions.
(MD) Populations of Meloidogyne incognita have been established and are maintained in laboratory, greenhouse and field sites for in preparation for cooperative studies with multistate researchers involving Pasteuria penetrans. Once sufficient inoculum is obtained, the bacterial nematode parasite will be introduced into root-knot nematode-infested microplots in the field. Both the nematode and its parasite will be monitored over time to determine whether the parasite will increase to suppressive levels and whether it will survive the winter season. Cooperating states are FL, MD, and MI.

Obj. 2.3) Evaluate different crops and methods for growing Pasteuria penetrans.
Rutgers tomato and PA136 Bell pepper have been selected as hosts for in house culture of Meloidogyne incognita on the basis of root vigor and overall cultural manageability, and are being grown in a soil moisture control system (Sardanelli and Kenworthy, 1997) and in a standard greenhouse environment. Meloidogyne incognita cultures are being maintained and increased in preparation for Trichoderma evaluations and also for microplot overwintering evaluations and/or production of P. penetrans endospores planned for Florida isolates of Pasteuria penetrans.

Objective 3: Comparison and evaluation of IPM system management of plant-parasitic nematodes based on crop rotation, organic amendments, host crop resistance and biological control agents.

(NY) Assessing the incidence and severity of root-galling on carrots as well as conducting a soil bioassay with lettuce (indicator host) at harvest were highly effective in determining the need for root-knot nematode control on the following crop cycle of carrots or other susceptible hosts.

(NY) A combined in-furrow and foliar spray application of Vydate C-LV increased potato tuber number and weight as well as slightly reduced the number of root-knot nematode in soil and roots. No root-galling symptoms were observed on infected potato roots.

Full Manuscripts:

Abawi, G. S. 2002. Nematode and disease interactions. In: Encyclopedia of Plant & Crop Science. R. M. Goodman, ed. Marcial Dekker, New York (In press).

Abawi, G. S., J. W. Ludwig, J. E. Carroll, and T. L. Widmer. 2001. Management of leaf blight diseases and root-knot nematode on carrots in New York. Pp. 66  67. Great Lakes Expo, MSU Extension, E. Lansig, MI.

Elmer, W. H. and LaMondia, J. A. 2001. Plant parts and their diseases. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI:10.1094/PHI-K-2001-1129-02.

Fery, R. L., and Thies, J. A. 2002. ‘Charleston Nemagreen‘, a root﷓knot nematode resistant, cream﷓type southernpea with a green cotyledon phenotype. HortScience 37:(Accepted 25 March 2002).

LaMondia, J. A. 2002. Seasonal populations of lesion and root-knot nematodes in strawberry roots. Journal of Nematology in press.

LaMondia, J. A. 2002. The interaction of Pratylenchus penetrans and Rhizoctonia fragariae in strawberry black root rot. Journal of Nematology in press.

LaMondia, J. A., and R. S. Cowles. 2002. Effect of entomopathogenic nematodes and Trichoderma harzianum on the strawberry black root rot pathogens Pratylenchus penetrans and Rhizoctonia fragariae. Journal of Nematology in press.

LaMondia, J. A., W. H. Elmer, T. L. Mervosh, and R. S. Cowles. 2002. Integrated management of strawberry pests by intercropping. Crop Protection accepted, in press.

Li, W., Roberts, D. P., Dery, P. D., Meyer, S. L. F., Lohrke, S., Lumsden, R. D. and Hebbar, K. P. Broad spectrum anti-biotic activity and disease suppression by the potential biocontrol agent Burkholderia ambifaria Bc-F. Crop Protection Journal 21: 129-135. 2002.

Mitkowski, N.A. and G.S. Abawi. 2003. Genetic diversity of New York State Meloidogyne hapla populations determined by RAPD‘s and mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Nematode Morphology and Systematics: (submitted).

Mitkowski, N.A. and G.S. Abawi. 2002. Reproductive fitness on lettuce of populations of Meloidogyne hapla from New York State vegetable fields. Nematology: (accepted).

Mitkowski, N.A. and G.S. Abawi. 2002. Monoxenic maintenance and reproduction of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) on multiple-species in vitro root culture systems. Plant Cell Reports 21 (1):14-23. DOI 10.1007/s00299-002-0468-6.

Mitkowski, N. A., J. G. Van der Beek, and G. S. Abawi. 2002. Characterization of root-knot nematode populations associated with vegetables in New York State. Plant Dis. 86: 840  847.

Meyer, S. L. F. and Roberts, D. P. Combinations of biocontrol agents for management of plant-parasitic nematodes and soilborne plant-pathogenic fungi. Journal of Nematology: 34: 1-8. 2002.

Nitao, J. K., Meyer, S. L. F., Oliver, J. E., Schmidt, W. F. and Chitwood, D. J. Isolation of flavipin, a fungus compound antagonistic to plant-parasitic nematodes. Nematology 4: 55-63. 2002.

Orion, D., Kritzman, G., Meyer, S. L. F., Erbe, E. F. and Chitwood, D. J. A role of the gelatinous matrix in the resistance of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) eggs to microorganisms. Journal of Nematology 33: 203-207. 2001.

Preston, J.F., D.W. Dickson, J.E. Maruniak, G. Nong, J.A. Brito, L.M. Schmidt, and R.M. Giblin-Davis. 2003. Pasteuria spp.: Systematics and phylogeny of these bacterial parasites of phytopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Nematology Accepted.

Schmidt, L.M., J.F. Preston, D.W. Dickson, J.D. Rice, and T.E. Hewlett. 2002. Environmental quantification of Pasteuria penetrans endospores using antigen extraction and immunodetection with a monoclonal antibody. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. In Press.

Thies, J. A., and Fery, R. L. 2002. Evaluation of a core of the U.S. Capsicum germplasm collection for reaction to the northern root﷓knot nematode. HortScience 37: (Accepted for publication 17 October 2001).

Thies, J. A., and Fery, R. L. 2002. Heat stability of resistance to southern root﷓knot nematode in bell pepper genotypes homozygous and heterozygous for the N gene. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:371﷓375. 2002

Ude, G.N., J.M. Costa, W.J. Kenworthy, S. Sardanelli, and P.B. Cregan. 2002. AFLP Markers Associated with a QTL for Resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) Race3. Journal of Genetics and Breeding. Accepted.

Widmer, T.L., N.A. Mitkowski and G.S. Abawi. 2002. Impact of organic matter management on plant-parasitic nematodes, their damage to host crops and soil health. Journal of Nematology: (in press).

Abstracts:

Halbrendt, J. M. and J. A. LaMondia 2002. Nematicidal activity of selected plant residues to Xiphinema americanum. Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of Nematology: in press.

LaMondia, J. A. 2002. Nematode management on herbaceous perennial ornamentals. Phytopathology 92 (6S):107.

Meyer, S. L. F., Roberts, D. P., Nitao, J. K., and Chitwood, D. J. Examination of rhizosphere-associated microbes for production of compounds active against plant-parasitic nematodes. Nematology 4: 288. 2002.

Meyer, S. L. F., Roberts, D. P., Nitao, J. K., and Chitwood, D. J. Detection of root-associated microbes that produce compounds active against plant-parasitic nematodes. Phytopathology 92 (Supplement): S55. 2002.

Roberts, D. P., Lohrke, S. M., Meyer, S. L. F., and Buyer, J. S. Biocontrol of seedling pathogens and root-knot on vegetables. Annual International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, San Diego, CA, Conference Proceedings: 30. 2001.

Manuals, Bulletins and Reports:

Halbrendt, J.M., L. Roth and W. Kleiner. 2001. Compost for weed and nematode management. Pennsylvania Fruit News 81:48-51.

Halbrendt, J.M. 2001. Replant site preparation. Pennsylvania Fruit News 81:34-35.

Kenworthy, W. J. 2002 Cyst Nematode-Resistant Soybean Variety Test. CES Agronomy Mimeo No.43. 7pp.

Kratochvil, R. 2001. Field Crops. In University of Maryland 2001 IPM Progress Report. p. 9.

LaMondia, J. A. 2001. Nematode diseases of perennials. Yankee Grower 3(6):6-7.

LaMondia, J. A. 2001. Host status of herbaceous perennial ornamentals to the northern root-knot nematode. Yankee Grower 3(6):7-10.

LaMondia, J. A. 2001. Nematodes: Common and important problems in the ornamental and landscape industry. Nematology Newsletter 47(3):1-4.

Mallozzi, T., Kratochvil, R., Sardanelli, S., Meyer, S., and Everts, K. 2001. Evaluating Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Management of Root-Knot Nematode. In University of Maryland 2001 IPM Progress Report. p. 34.

Mallozzi, T., Sardanelli, S., and Kratochvil, R 2002. Rearing Root-Knot Nematode Populations for Research: Utilization of an Innovative Approach. Society of Agronomy.

Mitkowski, N.A. 2001. Root-knot nematodes on turf in the Northeastern United States. Turfgrass Trends 10(12):1-4.

Thies, J. A., and Fery, R. L. 2002. Reactions of regional cooperative southernpea (cowpea) breeding lines and standard check cultivars to southern root﷓knot nematode race 3, 2001. B & C Tests (published by the American Phytopathological Society). On﷓line publication

Thies, J. A., and Fery, R. L. Reactions of regional cooperative southernpea (cowpea) breeding lines and checks to southern root﷓knot nematode race 3, 2001. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases (Accepted 24 January 2002).

Theses

Agripina Gonzalez Grijalba, 2002. Nematodes associated with soils and roots of bean fields under different cultural practices. MPS Thesis, CALS, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 57 pp.