Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

• Agudelo- began with a rousing speech describing the importance and structure of the multi-state hatch project.

• Although in climate weather and flooding prevented us from taking a full tour of the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Dr. Hajihassani was able to show us his nematology laboratory, and Dr. Rudolf Scheffrahn provided and enlightening tour of the termite species collection stored in the building.

• Scheffrahn (termite taxonomist) presented his work on termite taxonomy and the commensal pin worms and mermithids that he has found associated with many of these termite species.

• Hajihassani began the Florida report, presenting updates on plant parasitic nematode species his lab has found parasitizing tropical fruit tree orchards. Highlights included the prevalence of M. enterolobii on guava and R. reniformis on avocado.

• Rami Kassam presented new data on the identification and testing of new potential biocontrol agents that could be used for the management of nematodes in the field.

• Denis Gitonga presented updates on his graduate research that includes a survey of nematodes in fruit trees, testing the efficacy of commercial bio nematicides, and the development of a nematode lifecycle-based model for improving nematicide application timing.

• Jacob Larkin presented updates on his graduate research investigating the diversity of PPNs on golf turf, and looking at populations and species densities at different soil depths.

• Desaeger provided an update on a survey of root-knot nematodes present in different specialty crops planted in Florida. He also presented data on in vitro assay investigating the efficacy of commercial non-fumigant nematicides on different Meloidogyne species. As well as results from field trials investigating the use of different cover crops on different Meloidogyne species.

• Laura Mayorga presented updates from her research on environmental factors effecting the survival of the commercial biocontrol agent Purpureocillium lilacinum, as well as the potential for using chitin soil amendments in conjunction lilacinum to control PPNs.

• David Moreira presented updates on his research into the use of Anerobic Soil Disinfestation to help organic and low resource farmers control PPNs. Highlights included the potential use of cover crops such as sun hemp as potential carbon sources.

• Grabau presented data on the use of Brassica carinata as cover crop to suppress sting nematode in potato production operations. He also presented data on field trials on the use of nematicides to alleviate damage caused by M. enterolobii on sweetpotato.

• Rutter presented updates on breeding for resistance to M. enterolobii in sweetpotato and pepper. He also presented data on a new automated imaged-based method for counting root-knot nematode egg samples.

• Gorny presented results from ongoing screens for resistance to M. enterolobii resistance in tobacco. She also presented data from nematode surveys conducted on tobacco farms in North Carolina.

• John Eisenbach detailed updates on diagnostic morphology of three Meloidogyne species. He also presented information on the lifecycle of the beach leaf nematode. As well as results from his study of using heat treatment to kill pine wood nematode in harvested logs.

• Intiaz Choudhury Presented information about ongoing and planned studies on the management of Meloidogyne species in onion. As well as plans for future studies into the use of soil amendments, and studies on the lateral movements of soil nematodes.

• Chang (Diana) Liu introduced her newly established laboratory at Mississippi State University. Any graduate students interested in studying in her lab are encouraged to contact her directly: cl2142@msstate.edu

 Business Meeting:

• Adrienne Gorny graciously accepted the position of Vice-Chair and tentatively scheduled a meeting somewhere in North Carolina for 2025.

• We discussed the possibility of a joint meeting with the NC1197 group. All members in attendance voted in favor of reaching out to try and schedule a joint meeting in Charleston, SC for November 2024.

• Everyone unanimously expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Dr. Hajihassani in putting together a successful in person meeting for this year.