Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

OBJECTIVE 1. Develop cultural controls for plant-parasitic nematodes based on resistant, non-host, or nematode-antagonistic rotation crops and green manures. 2005 Milestones: "Cover and rotational crops and green manures appropriate for each state's research efforts will be identified." Connecticut. Native prairie plants were evaluated for host reaction of lesion and northern root-knot nematodes and compared to known hosts and antagonistic plants. The identification and use of native rotation crops that reduce plant parasitic nematode populations will assist in the development of effective nonchemical nematode management. Florida and USDA (South Carolina and Florida). Hairy vetch, wheat, rye, oat, and canola were established as winter cover crops in two fields in Citra, FL as part of a 4 year rotation of winter cover crops and summer vegetable and agronomic crops. One of the fields is infested with M. incognita and M. javanica, and the other is infested with M. incognita, M. javanica, and M. arenaria. USDA (South Carolina). Eleven cover crop-type cowpea landraces or cultivars were resistant to M. incognita in greenhouse tests. These cover crops are under evaluation by a USDA cooperator for general vigor and ability to suppress weeds. "Screening of vegetable germplasm (carrot, onion, pepper) for resistance to M. hapla." USDA (SC): Fifty pepper Plant Introductions (PIs) from the USDA Capsicum Collection were evaluated for resistance to M. hapla in greenhouse tests. None of the PIs evaluated were resistant to M. hapla. Additional accomplishments: Michigan. The yield advantage (% yield increase compared to the susceptible control) declined significantly when a PI88788-based source of resistance to soybean cyst nematode was planted continuously from 2000 to 2005. New York. Large numbers of root-knot nematode samples were characterized as to larval measurements, perineal patterns, ITS region amplification and sequencing, and virulence on selected varieties of rice and wheat. Results obtained confirmed that all isolates were M. graminicola , but with considerable morphometric, pathogenic and genotypic variability. Only 1 out of 135 rice and 1 out of 65 wheat germplasm evaluated exhibited resistance to M. graminicola. New York. Growers were trained to conduct a simple soil bioassay for detecting root-knot nematode infestation in their fields. The results of the bioassay were used to determine the need for nematode control. Only 6 out of 14 fields sampled in spring 2005 required control (rotation or nematicide use). A brochure describing the bioassay was prepared and distributed at numerous field days and growers meetings. USDA (South Carolina). Differences in reactions of eight pepper (Capsicum annuum) genotypes that carry either the N gene or Me gene(s) that control resistance to root-knot nematodes exhibited different levels of resistance to M. incognita in a greenhouse test. All genotypes that carry the N gene and two genotypes that carry Me3 and/or Me4 genes, exhibited high resistance. The genotypes that carry the Me1 and/or Me2 genes exhibited low to moderate resistance. It appears that both the N and Me3 genes confer higher resistance than the Me1 gene. Pyramiding of the N and Me genes in individual cultivars may increase the durability of resistance. OBJECTIVE 2. Develop biological control agents, such as Pasteuria penetrans, for suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes. 2005 Milestones: "Development of suppressive soils in golf courses: i) 40 golf courses will be sampled four times annually and analyzed; ii) soil composition will be analyzed; iii) fungal antagonist DNA will be extracted from soil samples; iv) fungal ITS sequences will be amplified; v) golf course cultural and management practices will be compiled." Massachusetts. Results of a three-year assessment of incidence and severity of nematode infestation by Pasteuria in putting greens did not show any apparent trend in population changes. More extensive sampling, and longer periods of time are necessary for predicting population changes resulting from Pasteuria infections. Rhode Island. The predominant genera of plant-parasitic nematodes recovered from soil samples from 114 greens of 38 golf courses in southern New England (2003-2004) were Tylenchorhynchus, Helocotylenchus, Criconemella, Hoplolaimus, and Heterodera. Soil physical properties (pH, organic matter, nutrient levels, soil particle size), turfgrass cultivar, green age, and management practices were associated with populations of the five genera previously listed. No nematode destroying fungi were detected visually or by DNA analysis. Pasteuria penetrans endospores were visually observed in many samples, but DNA amplification results were erratic. There were no correlations between level of parasitism by P. penetrans and nematode population levels, nor between soil physical and chemical characteristics or management methods and level of P. penetrans. Florida. The application of whole gene amplification (WGA) to single root-knot nematodes with Pasteuria penetrans biotypes P20 (preferring M. arenaria race 1) and B4 (preferring M. javanica) established that a single nematode can provide a library for complete genome sequencing of P. penetrans. Florida. The bclA gene in Bacillus subtilis encodes a collagen-like protein similar to a filamentous adhesion protein of the exposporium of Bacillus spp., and is being used as a target to identify bacterial genes involved in nematode host specificity or preference in Pasteuria. OBJECTIVE 3. Determine the effects of cultural and biological controls of plant-parasitic nematodes on nematode community ecology dynamics at the trophic group level. 2005 Milestones: "Adequate sites for trials, and commercially available products will be identified to carry out biocontrol product efficacy trials." Florida, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. Sites were identified for trials to evaluate biocontrol products for efficacy on M. incognita, M. arenaria, M. javanica, M. hapla, Pratylenchus penetrans, Tylenchorhynchus spp., and Criconemella spp. "Develop preliminary data on efficacy of various organisms for RKN control on horticultural and agronomic crops in greenhouse and microplot trials." Connecticut. Pasteuria has been associated with nematode suppressive biocontrol in the South, but has not been described on M. hapla in the Northeast. The identification of what appears to be Pasteuria spores present on the cuticles of M. hapla juveniles in apparently nematode-suppressive field microplots may allow the development of biological controls of the northern root-knot nematode. Florida. Pasteuria penetrans, a bacterial parasite of root-knot nematodes, was transferred from a suppressive soil site to a noninfested field site. The bacterium established, and increased within 3 years to levels that are suppressive to root-knot nematodes on peanut. Michigan. Nematode community taxonomic richness was lowest in an organic apple orchard floor management system using flaming, compared to use of mulch or the Swiss Sandwich technique. Pennsylvania. Rapeseed green manure is frequently used as a pre-plant treatment to suppress dagger nematode populations on orchard replant sites. In the soil, the hydrolysis of glucosinolates into toxic isothiocyanates reduces nematode numbers. Typically, growers do not fertilize rapeseed planted as a cover crop in replant sites. However, the availability of nitrogen and sulfur should affect the level of glucosinolates in tissues and the efficacy of the green manure treatment. Therefore, experiments to determine the benefits of fertilizer treatments on glucosinolate levels in Brassica tissues were initiated. "The occurrence of Pasteuria species in soil will be determined based on a soil ELISA assay developed in Florida and demonstrated to the group during a workshop at the first multi-state meeting of the project. This procedure will be used during the course of the project for the detection and quantification of Pasteuria in soil." "A protocol for the identification of nematode-suppressive soils developed in FL will be presented as a workshop and used to evaluate potential suppressive sites in other states." Workshops on (i) the identification of nematode-suppressive soils and (ii) demonstration of a soil ELISA assay to detect and quantify Pasteuria species in soil will be presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting in Florida by J. Preston and D. Dickson, University of Florida. "Identification of biological products and low-risk chemicals for nematode control as alternatives to high-risk nematicides." Connecticut. The development of TerraClean (hydrogen dioxide) as a biorational nematicide may assist in nematode management in situations where no effective management tactics are now available. USDA, ARS (Maryland). A fungus isolated from soybean cyst nematode was studied to determine effects of subculturing and of culture media on production of compounds that reduce nematode egg hatch and/or motility of hatched second-stage juveniles. Massachusetts. Bacillus firmus and a neem product, Agroneem, were not acceptable alternatives to fenamiphos for managing populations of Tylenchorhynchus and Criconemella, respectively, in golf course turf. New York. A number of biological and chemical control products including Basamid, Fosthiazate, Vydate, Actigard were effective in reducing root-knot and/or lesion nematode on onion, strawberry, or potato in 2005. However, there was no clear evidence for improved yield that might have been influenced by the extreme dry and hot weather that prevailed during the growing season. Tennessee. Twenty cultivars of Monarda (bee balm) were established in the greenhouse for evaluation of their effects on Meloidogyne incognita development and reproduction. The essential oil components of each cultivar are being quantified to select cultivars for greenhouse experiments. A lambsquarter native to Mexico with strong pesticidal properties is being cultivated in the greenhouse for evaluation against plant-parasitic nematodes.

Abawi, G. S. 2005. Diseases caused by nematodes. PP 52-57. In Compendium of Bean Diseases: second edition, H. F. Schwartz, J. R. Steadman, R. Hall, and R. L. Foster, editors, APS Press, St. Paul, MN. 109 p. Abawi, G. S., and J. L. Ludwig. 2005. Nematodes on onions: New control products and soil bioassays. Proceedings, Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Cornell Coop. Ext., pp 107-110. Bates, C., G. Bird, F. Warner and J. Davenport. 2005. Trap crop development and use for Heterodera schachtii and H. glycines control in Michigan. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Society of Nematologists. Presentation No 11. El-Borai, F.E., L.W. Duncan, and J.F. Preston. 2005 Bionomics of a phoretic association between a putative Paenibacillus sp. and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema diaprepesi. Journal of Nematology 35:18-25. Fery, R.L., and J.A. Thies. 2005. Notice of release of Charleston Blackeye, a root-knot nematode resistant, blackeye-type southernpea for the production of fresh-shell peas. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Cultivar Release. Gugino, B.K., G.S. Abawi, and J.W. Ludwig. 2005. Update on leaf blight and root-knot nematode diseases of carrots and their management. Proceedings, Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Cornell Coop. Ext., pp 115-117. Gugino, B.K., J.W. Ludwig, and G. S. Abawi. 2005. Root health and pathogenic/beneficial nematodes as indicators of soil health. Proceedings, Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Cornell Coop. Ext., pp 161-163. 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. 2004. Evaluation of Avid and Pylon for control of foliar nematodes on Anemone, Phlox and Salvia, 2002. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 59:N006. LaMondia, J.A. 2004. Plant parasitic nematodes: Diagnosis and management of nematodes in herbaceous perennials. Greenhouse Product News. 14(13):38-40. LaMondia, J.A. 2004. Field performance of twenty-one strawberry cultivars in a black root rot-infested site. Journal of the American Pomological Society 58(4):226-232. LaMondia, J.A., and R.S. Cowles. 2005. Comparison of Pratylenchus penetrans infection and Maladera castanea feeding on strawberry root rot. Journal of Nematology 37(2):131-135. LaMondia, J.A., R.S. Cowles and L. Los. 2005. Prevalence and potential impact of soil-dwelling pests in strawberry fields. HortScience. 1366-1370. Levi, A., C.E. Thomas, J.A. Thies, A.M. Simmons, K. Ling, R. Hassell, A.P. Keinath. 2005. Notice of release of USVL-205 and USVL-210, novel watermelon breeding lines. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Cultivar Release. Mervosh, T. L., and J. A. LaMondia. 2004. Strawberry black root rot and berry yield are not affected by use of terbacil herbicide. HortScience 39(6):1339-1342. Meyer, S. L. F., L. K. Carta, and S. A. Rehner. 2005. Morphological variability and molecular phylogeny of the nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium drechsleri. Mycologia: 97: 405-415. Meyer, S. L. F., I. A. Zasada, M. Tenuta, and D. P. Roberts. 2005. Application of a biosolid soil amendment, calcium hydroxide, and Streptomyces for management of root-knot nematode on cantaloupe. HortTechnology 15: 635-641. Mitkowski, N.A. 2001. Root-knot nematodes on turf in the Northeastern United States. Turfgrass Trends 10(12):1-4. Mitkowski, N.A. 2004. Consider nematode thresholds before treatment. Turfgrass Trends 13(7):1-5. 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. and G.S. Abawi. 2003. Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The Plant Health Instructor . DOI:10.1094/PHI-I-2003-0917-01. Mitkowski, N.A. and G.S. Abawi. 2003. Genetic diversity of New York State Meloidogyne hapla populations determined by RAPDs and mitochondrial DNA. J. 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. 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., 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. Roberts, D. P., A. A. Abdul-Baki, I.A. Zasada, S. L. F. Meyer, and W. Klassen. 2005. Biologically based technologies for the suppression of soilborne pathogens of vegetables. Recent Research Developments in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2: 51-67. Roberts, D. P., S. M. Lohrke, S. L. F. Meyer, J. S. Buyer, J. H. Bowers, C. J. Baker, W. Li, J. T. de Souza, J. A. Lewis, and S. Chung. 2005. Biocontrol agents applied individually and in combination for suppression of soilborne diseases of cucumber. Crop Protection 24: 141-155. Skantar, A. M., K. A. Agama, S. L. F. Meyer, L. K. Carta, and B. T. Vinyard. 2005. Effects of geldanamycin on hatching and juvenile motility in Caenorhabditis elegans and Heterodera glycines. Journal of Chemical Ecology 31: 2481-2491. Wick, R. L., and S.C. Massoni. 2005. Evaluation of Neo-Tec® for controlling nematodes in golf greens. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases 20: T002 Widmer, T.O., N.A. Mitkowski, and G.S. Abawi. 2002. Soil organic matter and management of plant-parasitic nematodes. Journal of Nematology 34(4):289-295. Yao, Shengrui., Ian A. Merwin, George W. Bird, George S. Abawi and Janice E. Thies. 2005. Orchard floor management practices that maintain vegetative or biomass groundcover stimulate soil microbial activity and alter soil microbial community composition. Plant and Soil 271:377-389. Zasada, I., S. L. F. Meyer, J. M. Halbrendt, and C. Rice. 2005. Activity of hydroxamic acids from Secale cereale against the plant-parasitic nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Xiphinema americanum. Phytopathology 95: 1116-1121.