Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Objective 1: Evaluate the effects of rotational crops, organic amendments and host crop genetics on nematode community structure.
Milestone 2003:Integrate plant resistance with rotation crops to predict nematode population decline under integrated management systems. An interdisciplinary IPMSARE team completed a three-year MD grower-generated project entitled Development and Evaluation of Management Alternatives for Root Knot Nematodes and Volunteer Potatoes. This project evaluated on-farm and micro-plot experiments, sustainable management alternatives and their effect(s) on plant-parasitic nematodes. Of all seasonal samplings and Meloidogyne spp life-stages (gall indices and eggs/root), Fall soil J2 sampling was the most accurate indicator for population evaluation.

(PA) Dagger nematodes (Xiphinema americanum) are the most important nematode problem in orchard sites in PA. Nearly 85% of samples contain dagger nematodes, which are usually below 25 per 100 cm3 soil but problematic as virus vectors. Preplant rotations with rapeseed reduce dagger nematodes, but but only after being turned in as a green manure. A bioassay technique using freeze-dried plant material was used to detect the presence of nematicidal compounds in a number of plants.

(CT) In cooperation with PA, the influence of rotation and green manure crops on early dying of potato caused by Verticillium dahliae and P. penetrans was investigated. Pipersudangrass, Rudbeckia hirta, Saia oat, Dwarf Essex canola, Polynema marigold, Haychow sorgho-sudangrass, Pearl Millet 101, Trudan 8 sudangrass, Standard oat, and Kennebec potato were grown. All rotation crops but oat reduced lesion nematodes; Rudbeckia hirta, and Polynema marigold had few or undetectable levels of nematodes.

(NY) Reaction of twelve commercial varieties of potatoes to M. hapla: Damage by the northern root-knot nematode to onion, carrots, lettuce and other susceptible crops is most severe when grown after potatoes, especially on organic soils. Potato is a host for M. hapla, but root-galling symptoms and yield losses have not been observed in New York. Thus, 12 varieties of potatoes were rated for root-galling severity on a scale of 1 (no galling) to 9 (>80% roots with galls). Eggs were extracted. All the potatoes exhibited extensive root-galling on the fine fibrous roots, but not coarse roots.

(NY) Evaluation of twenty-one commercial carrot varieties for resistance to M. hapla: The northern root-knot nematode is a major pathogen of carrots grown in New York. Twenty one carrot varieties were evaluated for M. hapla. Six weeks after inoculation, carrots were rated for root-galling severity, and eggs were extracted from roots. All varieties were susceptible hosts to M. hapla.

(RI) The effect of nematicidal applications of the organic butyric and propionic acids against Meloidogyne hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans was investigated. Concentrations of butyric acid and propionic acid were employed as a preplant nematicidal treatment, in conjunction with an untreated and a Vydate control. Butyric acid acted as a biocide, and nematode control was equivalent to Vydate.

(USDA-ARS SC) Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica and M. hapla) reduce yields of vegetables worldwide. Resistant cultivars of many crops to different root-knot species are not available. There was significant genetic variability within the U.S. PI Citrullus germplasm collection for resistance to M. arenaria race 1. The C. lanatus var. citroides accessions are potential sources for resistance to M. arenaria race 1 in improved watermelon cultivars. Peppers with the N gene for resistance to southern root-knot nematode have been effective in nematode management. A pepper PI with moderate resistance to the northern root-knot nematode M. hapla has been identified and may be a useful management alternative in the Northeast.
Objective 2: Characterization of biological control agents for suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes.

(CT) A possible northern root-knot nematode-suppressive soil was identified. Soils with M. hapla present at high densities for over a decade exhibited a population decrease after being planted to hosts. M. hapla juveniles were exposed to soil for 24 hours and examined microscopically. Pasteuria endospores were present on the cuticles of 60% of the J2, perhaps explaining the reduction in nematodes.

(USDA-ARS) Strains of rhizosphere-inhabiting bacteria, known to act against certain soilborne plant-pathogenic fungi, were tested for ability to suppress root-knot nematodes on cucumber roots. A greenhouse assay system identified a potentially useful bacterium, which 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).

(USDA-ARS, FL) Field trials were conducted in Florida to evaluate the effects of tomato and pepper transplants treated with biological control agents and planted into solarized soil on root-knot nematodes, plant growth and yield. Formulations of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) increased tomato and pepper transplant growth. Transplant vigor and survival in the field were improved by PGPR in both tomato and pepper and on pepper, one PGPR formulation reduced root-knot galling. Yield of pepper was increased with two PGPR. Soil solarization did not control the root-knot nematode on tomato. However, solarization combined with PGPR on pepper produced yields comparable to untreated plants grown in methyl bromide fumigated soil.

(FL) Long-term effects of peanut, Bahiagrass, and weed fallow on the levels of Meloidogyne arenaria race 1 and Pasteuria penetrans were investigated to determine the persistence of P. penetrans after 9 years. A soil test was developed to determine the suppressiveness of P. penetrans to M. arenaria. Over 4 years, the mean number of endospores per J2 and percentage of J2 with endospores increased greatly. Weed fallow plots had the highest percentage of J2 with endospores attached (75%). Bahiagrass and rhizomal peanut had lower percentages (7 and 2%, respectively). When water percolated through soils, most endospores stayed on the top layer of soil. The incidence of the bacterium is related to the density of the peanut root knot nematode.

(WV) Perennial ryegrass lines were inoculated with endophytic Neotyphodium lolii isolates genetically modified to suppress production of specific toxins for nematode suppression. P. scribneri increased on endophyte-free plants, but declined on all endophyte infected plants. Populations on plants where the endophyte was modified by a Lysergyl Peptide Synthetase gene knockout (LPS) were as low as on wild-type endophyte-infected plants. Plants where the endophyte was modified with either a failed LPS gene insert, or with a Di-Methyl Allyll-tryptophan synthetase gene knockout had intermediate populations, suggesting that nematode suppression is not related specifically to ergovaline production.

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

(FL) Development of DNA probes for the detection of vegetative stages of Pasteuria spp.is ongoing. Based upon 80% of sequence determined for the sigE gene in P. penetrans, primers were designed for the PCR amplification of this gene in M. arenaria derived from tomato plants. Using Real-Time PCR, the level of infection of M. arenaria by vegetative cells of P. penetrans was determined. An assay is available to complement the immunoassay that detects mature endospores through the recognition of an epitope present only on the mature spores.
Obj. 2.2) Determine the survivability and host preference of isolates of Pasteuria spp. from different geographic regions.
Milestone 2003: Evaluate the winter survival of Pasteuria penetrans in northern states.

(MA) Pasteuria penetrans parasitic on Meloidogyne graminis and Tylenchorhynchus has been found overwintering on turf in golf greens in MA. A correlation between the percent of Pasteuria-encumbered J2 and the density of Meloidogyne graminis J2 was present at high but not low densities. A correlation between Pasteuria- encumbered Tylenchorhynchus spp. and density was evident. In addition, Pasteuria spores appeared to be present on the cuticles of the M. hapla J2 in field microplots that had been exposed to winter conditions in CT. Pasteuria endospores appear to readily survive the winter in CT and MA.
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.

Efficacy of control products against M. hapla or Pratylenchus penetrans in field microplots. Researchers in MI, NY and RI, funded by the methyl bromide alternative program, was initiated in 2003. In spring 2003, plots were Methyl bromide-fumigated (350 lbs/A, under plastic), treated with Basamid (granular, 350 lbs./A), Vydate L (2,25 gal./A), Fosthiazate (11.5 pts./A), Agri-Mek (16 ozs/A, 2 apps) or an Untreated check. Tomatoes grown in the methyl bromide-treated plots did not exhibit root-galling symptoms and had the lowest number of M. hapla eggs. Root-galling ratings and egg recovery were reduced by Basamid, Fosthiazate, and Vydate. Only methyl bromide increased number and weight of fruit.

(MI) The persistence of Heterodera glycines under various crop rotation and H. glycines sources of resistance were studied at the Greg Mahoney Farm in St. Charles, Michigan in 1995. Soybean yields were greater after three years of corn, three years of clover, or one year of corn followed by two years of a resistant soybean cultivar, compared to yields after five years of continuous susceptible soybeans. There were no differences among the at-harvest nematode densities among any of the systems following a single year of a resistant cultivar. The at-harvest density of H. glycines associated with the mixture of PI 88788, Peking and Kenwood 94 was not different from any of the other systems in 2001.

Assessing the occurrence, damage and need for controlling M. hapla on carrots: The northern root-knot nematode has a wide distribution and causes yield losses to carrots in New York. A collaborative project was started to train carrot and onion growers to index their fields for root-knot. The latter involve collecting appropriate soil samples from fields and conducting a soil bioassay with lettuce for 28-42 days. The need to treat is based on the root-galling severity observed on lettuce roots {for carrots is only an average of >1 gall/root system; a rating of >2 (1-3% of roots galled)} on the 1 to 9 scale. The latter scheme is being compared to the extraction of J2 of M. hapla from soil sample to assess the need to treat.

(WV) The economic returns of low versus high input farming systems for transition to organic practices were comapared for a Market Garden system. Yields of various crops in organic farming systems were generally greater with the high input (with compost) system than in low input (cover crop only) farming systems. Yields were not correlated with any nematode pest, but were related to soil factors such as organic matter content and pH. Although the with compost treatment was highly significant in predicting yields, soil organic matter was not increased, nor was pest density or biocontrol agent activity affected. Leaf petiole nitrate in potato was lower in plots with compost, indicating that this nutrient does not explain crop yields.

Brito, J. A, J. F. Preston, D. W.Dickson, R. M. Giblin-Davis, D. S. Williams, H. C. Aldrich, and J. D. Rice. 2003. Temporal Production and Immunolocalization of an Epitope During Pasteuria penetrans sporogenesis. Journal of Nematology 35(3):in press


Edson, C., S. S. Swinton, J. Nugent, G. W. Bird, A. Coombs and D. Epstein. 2003. Cherry orchard floor management: Opportunities to Improve Profit and Stewardship. Michigan State University Extension, Bulletin E?2890. 6 pp.


Giblin-Davis, R.M., D.S. Williams, S. Bekal, D.W. Dickson, J.A. Brito, J.O. Becker, and J.F. Preston. 2003. Candidatus Pasteuria usgae, sp.nov., an obligate endoparasite of the phytopathogenic nematode Belanolaimus longicaudatus. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 53:197-200.


Kokalis-Burelle, N. and D. W. Dickson. 2003. Effects of soil fumigants and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on disease and yield of tomato. Proceedings of the Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions: In Press.


Kokalis-Burelle. 2003. Effects of transplant type and soil fumigant on growth and yield of strawberry in Florida. Plant and Soil: In Press.


Kokalis-Burelle, N., C. S. Vavrina, M. S. Reddy, and J. W. Kloepper. 2003. Amendment of muskmelon and watermelon transplant media with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria: Effects on disease and nematode resistance. HortTechnology 13:476-482.


Kokalis-Burelle, N., N. Martinez-Ochoa, R. Rodrmguez-Kabana, and J. W. Kloepper. 2002. Development of multi-component transplant mixes for suppression of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Journal of Nematology 34: 362-369.


Kokalis-Burelle, N., C. S. Vavrina, D. S. Kenney, E. N. Rosskopf, and R. A. Shelby. 2002. Field Evaluation of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Amended Transplant Mixes and Soil Solarization for Tomato and Pepper Production in Florida. Plant and Soil 238: 257-266.


Kokalis-Burelle, N., W. F. Mahaffee, R. Rodrmguez-Kabana, J. W. Kloepper, and K. L. Bowen. 2002. Effects of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Rotations with peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on Nematode populations and soil microflora. J. Nematology 34 (2): 98-105.


Kloepper, J. W., M. S. Reddy, D. S. Kenney, N. Kokalis-Burelle, N. Martinez-Ochoa, and C. S. Vavrina. 2002. Theory and application for rhizobacteria in transplant production and yield enhancement. 26th International Horticulture Congress, International Soc. of Hort. Soc., Aug. 13-19, Toronto, Canada, Acta Horticulturae.


Landis, J. N., J. E. Sanchez, G. W. Bird, C. E. Edson, I, Issacs, R. H. Lehnert, A. M. C. Schilder and S. M. Swinton (eds). 2002. Fruit Crop Ecology and Management. MI State University Ext. Bull. E?2759. E. Lansing, MI. 101 pp.


LaMondia, J. A. 2003. Interaction of Pratylenchus penetrans and Rhizoctonia fragariae in strawberry black root rot. Journal of Nematology 35:17-22.


LaMondia, J. A. 2002. Seasonal populations of lesion and root-knot nematodes in strawberry roots. Journal of Nematology 34(4):409-413.


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 34(4):351-357.


LaMondia, J. A., W. H. Elmer, T. L. Mervosh, and R. S. Cowles. 2002. Integrated management of strawberry pests by intercropping. Crop Protection 21:837-846.

Mitkowski, N.A. and K. Jordan. 2003. Organic acids as preplant nematicides for use against Meloidogyne hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans. Phytopathology 93:S62.


Mitkowski, N. A. and N. Jackson. 2003. Subanguina radicicola, the root-gall nematode, infecting Poa annua in New Brunswick, Canada. Plant Disease 87 (10): 1263.


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 5(2):191-202.


Mitkowski, N.A. and G.S. Abawi. 2003. Reproductive fitness on lettuce of populations of Meloidogyne hapla from New York State vegetable fields. Nematology 5(1):77-83.


Mitkowski, N.A., H. Van der Beek and G.S. Abawi. 2002. Characterization of root-knot nematode populations associated with vegetables in New York State. Plant Disease 86 (8):840-847.


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


Nelson, S. D., S. J. Locascio, L. H. Allen, Jr., D. W. Dickson, D. J. Mitchell. 2002. Soil flooding and fumigant alternatives to methyl bromide in tomato and eggplant production. HortScience 37:1057-1060.


Padgham, J. L., G. S. Abawi, J. M. Duxbury, and M. A. Mazid. 2002. Impact of Meloidogyne graminicola on yield of lowland rice in Bangladesh. Suppl. Phytopathology 92:S62.


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. 35: 198-207.


Sanchez, J.E., C.E. Edson, G.W. Bird, M.E. Whalon, T.C. Willson, R.R. Harwood, K. Kizilkaya, J.E. Nugent, W. Klein, A. Middleton, T.L. Loudon, D.R. Mutch, and J. Scfimger. 2003. Orchard floor and nitrogen management influences soil and water quality and tart cherry yields. Journal American Society Horticultural Science. 128:277?284.


Sanchez, J. E., T. C. Willson, R. J. Zoppolo, D. Stefanelli and G. W. Bird. 2002. The Soil. pp. 21?28. (in) Fruit Crop Ecology and Management, Landis, J. N., J. E. Sanchez, G. W. Bird, C. E. Edson, I, Issacs, R. H. Lehnert, A. M. C. Schilder and S. M. Swinton (eds). MI State Univ. Ext. Bull. E?2759. E. Lan., MI. 101 pp.


Schmidt, L. M., J. F. Preston, D. W. Dickson, J. D. Rice, T. W. Hewlett. 2003. Environmental quantification of Pasteuria penetrans endospores using in situ antigen extraction and immunodetection with a monoclonal antibody. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 44:17-26.


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 56: 213-220.


Vavrina, C.S., P.D. Roberts and N. Kokalis-Burelle. 2002. Use of Commercial Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) Inducers in the Stand Establishment of Tomato; Impact on Plant Growth, Disease and Nematode Suppression. 26th International Horticulture Congress, International Soc. of Hort. Soc., Aug. 13-19, Toronto, Canada, Acta Horticulturae.


Widmer, T.L., N.A. Mitkowski and G.S. Abawi. 2002. Soil organic matter and management of plant-parasitic nematodes. Journal of Nematology 34(4):289-295.


Abstracts :

Abawi, G. S., and J. W. Ludwig. 2003. Research results on the management of nematodes on onions. Pp. 167-172, NYS Veg. Conf. Proc., Cornell Coop. Ext., Ithaca, NY.


Abawi, G. S., and J. W. Ludwig. 2003. Host efficiency of selected soybeans to Meloidogyne hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans. J. of Nematology 35: 321 (Abstr.).


Abawi, G. S., and J. W. Ludwig. 2003. Evaluation of onion germplasm for resistance to Meloidogyne hapla. J. of Nematology 35: 321 (Abstr.).


Abawi, G. S., J. W. Ludwig, C. R. MacNeil, and J. J. Vanderheide. 2003. Damage and management of the northern root-knot nematode on onions in New York State. Pp. 251, Proc. Of the ICPP, Christchurch, NZ, Feb. 2-7, 2003.


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; Nematology 4:285.

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

Kokalis-Burelle, N. and P. D. Adams. 2002. Effects of transplant type and soil treatment on strawberry rhizosphere fungal populations. Proceedings of the Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions Pages 86.1-86.4.


Kovaleva,E. s., E.P. Masler, S. Sardanelli, and D. J. Chitwood. 2003 Heat Shock Proteins 70 in Heterodera Glycines. Society of Nematologists 42nd Annual Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. July, 2003.


LaMondia, J. A. and J. M. Halbrendt. 2002. Rotation crops for control of nematodes pathogenic to tree and small fruits (A progress report). Proceedings of the 78th Cumberland-Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference. 180-183.


LaMondia, J. A. and J. M. Halbrendt 2003. Differential host status of rotation crops to dagger, lesion and root-knot nematodes. Journal of Nematology 35:349.


LaMondia, J. A. and T. L. Mervosh. 2003. Strawberry black root rot - lack of association with terbacil application. Phytopathology 93 (6):S48.


Mallozzi, T., Sardanelli, S., Kratochvil, R., and Everts, K. 2002. Evaluating Biocontrol Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Management of Root-Knot Nematode. In press


Maryland IPM 2002 Annual Report. p. 20.


Mitkowski, N. A. and G. S. Abawi. 2003. Root-knot nematodes. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI:10.1094/PHI-I-2003-0917-01.


Rungrassamee, W. and Wick, R. L. 2003. Relationship of the nematode hyperparasite Pasteuria spp. To Meloidogyne graminis and Tylenchorhynchus spp. in golf greens. Journal of Nematology 35:361.

Sardanelli, S., Mallozzi, T., Everts, K. and Kratochvil, R. 2002. Sustainable Management Alternatives for Root Knot Nematodes In Maryland IPM 2002 Annual Report. p. 19.


Troccoli, A., G. S. Abawi, J. W. Ludwig, and F. Lamberti. 2003. Morpho-anatomical notes on populations of Pratylenchus penetrans and P. crenatus from New York state (USA). J. of Nematology 35: 367-368 (Abstr.).


LaMondia, J. A. 2003. Influence of rotation crops on lesion nematode infection of strawberry, 2002. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases Vol. 18:N002.


LaMondia, J. A. 2003. The association of lesion nematodes with strawberry black root rot. Nourse Commercial Newsletter.


Workshops:
Mallozzi, T., and S. Sardanelli. 2003. The Moisture Replacement System- a versatile tool facilitating the evaluation of a potential biocontrol agent in the search for root-knot nematode management. Biocontrol Workshop, Society of Nematologists 42nd Annual Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. July, 2003.


J. M. Halbrendt and J. A. LaMondia presented a workshop entitled "A bioassay test for nematicidal activity in plant tissue" at the Biocontrol Workshop at the Society of Nematologists 42nd Annual Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. July, 2003.