Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

ALABAMA

Participants: Lawaju, Bisho Ram (brl0024@auburn.edu) and Lawrence, Kathy (lawrekk@auburn.edu) - Auburn University

Objective 3. Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

Activity 1: Surveillance and monitoring of nematode pests

Activity: Surveillance and monitoring of nematode pests were continued.

Output: A new root-knot nematode species, Meloidogyne enterolobii, was detected on the ornamental plant crape myrtle on a farm-representing the first documented detection of this species in Alabama.

Outcome: First official report of Meloidogyne enterolobii in Alabama.

Activity 2: Cotton variety trials with and without nematicide applications

Activity: Cotton variety trials were conducted in Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis infested fields to evaluate nematode responses and yield performance under resistant and susceptible varieties, with and without additional nematicides.

Output: In M. incognita infested field, nematode-resistant varieties (DP 2143NR and DP 2436NR) produced 328 lb/A more seed cotton than susceptible varieties at a 40% lint turnout, equivalent to an additional $83 per acre at $0.63/lb. Applying Velum (fluopyram) at 6 oz/A further reduced M. incognita populations by 50% and increased yield by an additional 351 lb/A (≈ $89 per acre).

Similarly, in R. reniformis infested field, resistant varieties (DP 2143NR and DP 2522NR) suppressed reniform nematode populations by 95%. Resistant varieties increased seed cotton yield by 741 lb/A, equivalent to $187 per acre at $0.63/lb. Velum (6 oz/A) reduced R. reniformis populations by an additional 16% and increased yield by 360 lb/A (≈ $91 per acre).

Across both nematode species, resistant varieties combined with an in-furrow nematicide application produced the highest yields.

Outcome: Findings were shared through field demonstrations, extension events, and disease management reports for farmers, extension specialists, and crop consultants.

Activity 3: Cotton and soybean variety trials in M. incognita-infested fields

Activity: Cotton and soybean variety trials were conducted in M. incognita infested fields to assess impacts on nematode populations and crop yield.

          Output: In cotton trial, yield varied among varieties. Although higher gall ratings were associated with lower yield, the relationship was weak and statistically nonsignificant. Yield remained stable at lower gall ratings but declined beyond a threshold of approximately gall rating 5, suggesting a nonlinear, threshold-based relationship between root gall severity and yield. In soybean trial, nematode pressure was low across the field, and soybean yield was not significantly affected by gall rating.

Outcome: Results were shared through on-farm demonstrations and extension outreach with growers, specialists, and consultants.

ARKANSAS

Participants: Faske, Travis (tfaske@uada.edu) – University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture

Objective 1.  Understand the fundamental biology and genetics that underlie the evolving nematode threats to agriculture in the Southern region.

Objective 2.  Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases.

Objective 3.  Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

Objective 1:  We evaluated some new soybean PI lines for susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita in greenhouse and field experiments.

Objective 2:  We conducted several field experiments to evaluate nematicides and soybean susceptibility to M. incognita in soybean and cotton and Paratrichodorus minor in corn.  Experiments were conducted in cotton (n =  8), corn (n = 10), and soybean (n = 12), and soybean variety experiments (n = 9) in a farmer's fields.

Objective 3:  We also had a couple of the trials mentioned above that investigated the effect of nematicides and varieties that varied in susceptibility to M. incognita in soybean and cotton.

FLORIDA

Participants: Grabau, Zane (zgrabau@ufl.edu)- University of Florida

Objective 2.  Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases.

Objective 3.  Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

Our research in this project focused on evaluating host range and nematode management tactics relating to emerging nematode threats (e.g. Meloidogyne enterolobii) on established crops or established nematode threats (e.g. Rotylenchulus reniformis) on emerging crops (e.g. Brassica carinata).

GEORGIA

Participants: Chowdhury, Intiaz – University of Georgia

Objective 1.          Understand the fundamental biology and genetics that underlie the evolving nematode threats to agriculture in the Southern region.

Objective 2.          Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases.

Objective 3.          Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

Objective 1.

Varieties with resistance to southern root-knot nematode (SRKN, Meloidogyne incognita) have been developed and widely marketed in recent years and are now commonly grown across the southeastern United States. However, with the recent detection and spread of guava root-knot nematode (GRKN, M. enterolobii) throughout much of the Southeast, a major cotton-producing region, it is important to evaluate these varieties against GRKN. To address this gap, we evaluated the response of twelve commercial cotton cultivars, including cultivars marketed as resistant and susceptible to SRKN, to a Georgia isolate of GRKN under greenhouse conditions.

Our results showed that all cotton cultivars tested were susceptible to GRKN, regardless of their resistance status to SRKN, based on reproduction factor values greater than one. This indicates that currently available SRKN-resistant cultivars do not confer resistance to GRKN. However, susceptibility was not uniform across cultivars. Significant differences were observed in gall severity, egg production per gram of root, and reproduction factor among cultivars, indicating variable levels of GRKN compatibility. Several cultivars supported relatively lower galling and nematode reproduction, whereas others allowed substantially higher population buildup, highlighting meaningful differences in risk among currently marketed varieties despite the absence of true resistance.

Overall, GRKN was the most aggressive root-knot nematode species evaluated, causing greater root galling and higher nematode reproduction than either SRKN or peach root-knot nematode (M. floridensis). These findings confirm that resistance to SRKN should not be assumed to provide cross-protection against GRKN. Until GRKN-resistant cotton cultivars becomes available, growers in affected areas will need to rely on integrated nematode management strategies and careful variety selection, given variability in susceptibility within cultivars, to limit population buildup and reduce long-term production risk.

Objective 2.

A greenhouse study was conducted during the 2023-2024 growing season and repeated in 2024-2025, with the work finalized and published in 2025. In this study, we evaluated the host status and relative reproductive potential of three root-knot nematode species, M. enterolobii, peach, M. floridensis, and M. incognita, on eight economically important vegetable crops commonly grown in Georgia, including beet, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, pepper, snap bean, squash, and tomato. The objective was to determine differences in reproduction, galling, and host suitability using local isolates under controlled greenhouse conditions.

Across experiments, all three Meloidogyne species were able to reproduce on most vegetable crops evaluated, although the degree of reproduction and galling varied by crop and nematode species. M. enterolobii consistently exhibited significantly higher reproduction factors, galling indices, and egg production per gram of root than M. incognita and M. floridensis on the majority of crops, including beet, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, and snap bean. In contrast, squash and tomato supported similarly high levels of reproduction for all three species, with no consistent differences among them. Pepper showed a distinct response, serving as a good host for M. enterolobii and M. incognita but a poor or non-host for M. floridensis. These results demonstrate that while many Georgia vegetable crops are broadly susceptible to root-knot nematodes, the intensity of infection and population buildup can be species dependent, with M. enterolobii exhibiting a clear reproductive advantage on all crops except for tomato.

Overall, this work confirms that M. enterolobii poses a substantially greater risk to Georgia vegetable production systems than either M. incognita or M. floridensis due to its higher reproductive capacity and broad host range. The ability of M. enterolobii, and in some cases M. floridensis, to reproduce on crops traditionally managed based on M. incognita biology highlights a critical vulnerability in current nematode management programs. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that in mixed-species infestations within vegetable fields, M. enterolobii may become the predominant M. incognita over time due to its greater reproductive potential. These results underscore the need for species-aware, integrated nematode management strategies and reinforce the importance of prioritizing resistance development and screening efforts specifically targeting M. enterolobii to protect the sustainability of Georgia’s vegetable production systems.

Objective 3.

We evaluated the response of the emerging root-knot nematode species in Georgia to sub-lethal doses of commonly used non-fumigant nematicides. While management recommendations in vegetable systems are largely based on data generated for M. incognita, recent detections of M. enterolobii, M. floridensis, and M. haplanaria in Georgia vegetable fields warrants comparative evaluation of the sensitivity of the newly detected species to commonly used non-fumigant nematicide. Using Georgia isolates, we evaluated the effects of fluazaindolizine, fluensulfone, fluopyram, and oxamyl on nematode motility, egg hatching, and subsequent reproduction, with a specific focus on understanding species-specific sensitivity at varying levels of exposure including sub-lethal dosages commonly encountered in field conditions.

Across in vitro and greenhouse assays, all nematicides reduced motility, egg hatch, and reproduction of the evaluated Meloidogyne species, but the magnitude of response varied significantly among species and chemistries. M. enterolobii was consistently the least sensitive species, requiring higher concentrations to suppress motility and maintaining greater reproductive potential than M. incognita, M. floridensis, and M. haplanaria following pre-exposure to all nematicides tested. Fluensulfone, fluazaindolizine, and oxamyl acted primarily as nematicides, with little to no recovery of motility after rinsing with water 24 hours of exposure, whereas fluopyram exhibited a nematostatic effect, with partial recovery. Although most nematicides effectively reduced egg hatch at higher concentrations, fluazaindolizine showed relatively weak suppression of egg hatching compared with the other products, and no differences among nematode species were observed for hatch response. Dose-response modeling further confirmed substantial interspecific variation in EC50 values, particularly highlighting reduced sensitivity of M. enterolobii across chemistries.

Collectively, these results demonstrate that species identity strongly influences nematicide sensitivity and that management programs optimized for M. incognita may be less effective against emerging root-knot nematodes, especially M. enterolobii. The ability of M. enterolobii to retain higher infectivity and reproductive potential at sublethal nematicide concentrations represents a significant risk under field conditions where soil texture variability, nematicide degradation, and nematode mobility limit consistent exposure. These findings emphasize the need for species-specific nematode management strategies and field validation of nematicide performance against emerging Meloidogyne species.

LOUISIANA

Participants: Watson, Tristan (TWatson@agcenter.lsu.edu) – LSU AgCenter

Objective 3.  Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

An on-farm nematicide sweetpotato field trial was conducted in a grower’s field with a history of severe reniform nematode infestation. Soil treatments were applied as large plots (8 rows wide by 200 feet long). The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications of each treatment. All soil treatments were applied by the grower, and included: (1) an untreated control, (2) K-Pam HL at 8 gal/A applied with a shank 21 days before planting, (3) Vydate L at 2 gal/A applied in-furrow 2 days before planting, (4) Vydate L at 2 gal/A applied in-furrow 2 days before planting followed by Majestene at 2 gal/A applied as a soil directed spray during the final cultivation (30 days after planting), (5) Velum at 6.84 fl oz/A applied in-furrow 1 day before planting, and (6) Salibro at 61.4 fl oz/A applied in-furrow 1 day before planting. At the time of planting, population densities of R. reniformis in soil that was fumigated (Kpam HL treatment) were ~61% lower than the untreated control, indicating that the soil fumigant was successful in suppressing nematode numbers. By 28 days after planting, Kpam HL continued to have lower soil population densities of R. reniformis relative to that of the untreated control (68% suppression). By 56 days after planting there were no significant differences in soil population densities of R. reniformis. By harvest, soil population densities of R. reniformis were lower in the Kpam HL, Vydate L, and Velum treatments relative to that of the Salibro treatment, which appeared to stimulate late-season nematode population development. The density of R. reniformis eggs per gram of fine root at 56 days after planting was greatest in the Kpam HL treatment, with Velum, and Salibro resulting in significantly lower egg production than roots grown in fumigated soil. Egg production per gram of root in the untreated control treatment did not differ from any of the treatments. Treating soil with Velum or Salibro resulted in half as many reniform nematode eggs produced per plant relative to that of all other treatments. Yield of US#1 grade sweetpotato was 38 - 58 % higher in the Kpam HL, Vydate L + Majestene, and Salibro treatments relative to the untreated control. No statistically significant differences in the weight of Jumbo or canner grade sweetpotatoes were observed. Total weight across all grades of sweetpotato showed a similar trend to that of the US#1 grade sweetpotatoes, with 31 – 40 % more sweetpotatoes in the Kpam HL, Vydate L + Majestene, and Salibro treatments relative to that of the untreated control. Overall, these data suggest that under severe infestation levels, R. reniformis is responsible for ~50% yield loss of sweetpotato.

Bullet points:

• Soil fumigated with Kpam HL suppressed reniformis soil population densities by 61 – 68% relative to that of the untreated control for up to 28 days after planting.
• Treating soil with Velum or Salibro resulted in half as many reniform nematode eggs produced per plant relative to that of all other treatments.
• Yield of US#1 grade sweetpotato was 38 - 58 % higher in the Kpam HL, Vydate L + Majestene, and Salibro treatments relative to the untreated control.
• Overall, these data suggest that under severe infestation levels, reniformis is responsible for ~50% yield loss of sweetpotato.

MISSISSIPPI

Participants: Liu, Chang cl2142@msstate.edu Mississippi State University

Objective 2.  Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases.

Objective 3. Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

1. A state-wide survey investigating the distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes on soybeans in Mississippi was conducted.
2. Population shift from dominant soybean cyst nematode to reniform nematode was observed, more survey will be followed to test this observation.
3. One field trial testing seed treatment efficacy at managing root-knot nematode on soybean in Mississippi was conducted.
4. One cover crop trial testing winter wheat, winter pea, canola and their mix at managing reniform nematode in sweetpotato production was conducted.
5. One greenhouse trial testing non-fumigant nematicides as well as bio-products at managing reniform and root-knot nematode on sweetpotato was conducted.

NORTH CAROLINA

Participants: Gorny, Adrienne – North Carolina State University

Objective 2.  Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases.

Objective 3.  Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

Under Obj. 2, we conducted field nematicide and variety tolerance tests in North Carolina.  These were conducted in sweetpotato (n=3), soybean (n=1), corn (n=1), and cotton (n = 1) to better understand the most efficacious chemical management options and tolerance of certain crop varieties to plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly Meloidogyne enterolobii.  We also collaborated on multi-year crop rotational trials to better understand the impact of non-host rotational crops in reducing populations of M. enterolobii in the field. 

Under Obj. 3, we published an academic manuscript on a new diagnostic tool more rapid detection of Meloidogyne enterolobii, directly from galled sweetpotato roots, using DNA is captured on Whatman FTA cards, then amplified using recombinase polymerase amplification and M. enterolobii-specific primers, and visualized using lateral flow assay strips.  We initiated research into a new DNA extraction method to isolate and amplify M. enterolobii DNA directly from a soil sample.  Testing of sensitivity, specificity, and evaluation of field samples is on-going. 

OHIO

Participants: Sanabria-Velazquez, Andres – The Ohio State University

Objective 2. Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases.

Objective 3. Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases.

Brief highlights of research:

During the reporting period, I began my appointment as new faculty in Vegetable Pathology at The Ohio State University, establishing a research and extension program focused on soilborne diseases and plant parasitic nematodes in vegetable cropping systems. I participated in the S1092 annual meeting for the first time.

Under Objective 2, future research is being developed to investigate survival and persistence mechanisms of plant parasitic nematodes and free living nematodes in relation to soil redox conditions and biological stressors

Under Objective 3, we submitted and received internal funding for the project Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation as a Sustainable Strategy for Root Knot Nematode Control. This work evaluates anaerobic soil disinfestation as a management strategy to stimulate the production of volatile organic compounds and organic acids that suppress root knot nematode viability while conserving beneficial free living nematodes. In addition, we published a peer reviewed study describing a rapid diagnostic assay for Meloidogyne enterolobii directly from galled sweetpotato roots using DNA captured on Whatman FTA cards, recombinase polymerase amplification, and lateral flow assay visualization.

TEXAS

Participants: Wheeler, Terry ta-wheeler@tamu.edu Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Objective 1.  Understand the fundamental biology and genetics that underlie the evolving nematode threats to agriculture in the Southern region.

Objective 2.  Investigate the ecological and epidemiological factors contributing to the distribution, dissemination, and pathogenicity of developing nematode diseases. 

Objective 3.  Develop and evaluate integrated nematode management tactics for emerging nematode diseases. Cotton trials using both susceptible and resistant commercial varieties were conducted in three fields with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) and one field with reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis). In addition, four trials were conducted with a combination of resistant variety and seed and/or infurrow nematicide at-plant infurrow treatments. Greenhouse screening with Meloidogyne arenaria was conducted on germplasm supplied by the peanut breeder at Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Brief highlights of research: Advanced breeding lines from Phytogen, BASF, and Bayer CropScience with good resistance and yielding ability were identified for both root-knot nematode and reniform nematode. Current commercial cotton varieties with root-knot nematode resistance from BASF and Bayer CropSciences do not consistently outyield susceptible commercial varieties. Integration of M. incognita or R. reniformis resistance in cotton and nematicides do not consistently result in higher yields  than resistant varieties alone. Identification of peanut germplasm with M. arenaria resistance contributes towards the efforts to develop high-yielding, high-oleic, and root-knot nematode resistant cultivars suited for semi-arid peanut production systems in West Texas.

VIRGINIA

Participants: Eisenback, Jonathan (jon@vt.edu) – Virginia Tech

Brief highlight of research

Beech leaf disease (BLD) continues to spread within the commonwealth. Thirteen counties have been confirmed with BLD including Prince William, Fairfax, Stafford, Loudin, Clarke, New Kent, Warren, Fauquier, King George, Westmoreland, Orange, and Albemarle counties, suspected in Culpeper and Spotsylvania counties.

Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a newly emerging disease affecting beech trees (genus Fagus) in North America. The causal agent of BLD is a previously undescribed nematode species, informally referred to as the beech leaf disease nematode (BLDN). BLD poses a significant threat to beech tree populations, which are ecologically and economically important components of forest ecosystems. Understanding the biology, ecology, and management of the BLDN is crucial for addressing this emerging forest health issue.

Beech leaf disease was first observed in 2012, in Lake County, Ohio, but its cause remained unknown for several years. In 2019, researchers identified a previously undescribed nematode associated with symptomatic beech trees, which was subsequently named the beech leaf disease nematode (BLDN). The BLDN is believed to be a vector for a yet-to-be-identified pathogen that causes the characteristic symptoms of beech leaf disease.

Beech leaf disease primarily affects American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees. The disease is characterized by distinct symptoms on affected trees:

The impact of beech leaf disease on forest ecosystems is still being studied, but preliminary observations suggest that it could have significant ecological and economic consequences, particularly in areas where beech trees are dominant or culturally important.

The life cycle of the BLDN begins in the buds where nematode feed on budscales and alter leaves within the bud before they emerge. After emergence, they migrate into the mature leaves and begin feeding inside and reproduce in very high rates of reproduction.

Beech leaf disease, caused by BLDN, represents a significant threat to beech tree populations in North America. Understanding the biology, ecology, and management of the BLDN is essential for addressing this emerging forest health issue and safeguarding the ecological and economic value of beech trees in forest ecosystems. Continued research, collaboration, and proactive management efforts are necessary to mitigate the impacts of beech leaf disease and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of beech tree populations.

The current map of BLD spread in Virginia is available here. If you notice something suspicious in a county not represented on the map as having identified cases, please contact your local area DOF Forester. 

Beech Root-knot Nematode found in Pennsylvania. The perineal pattern is very similar to that of Meloidogyne hapla. It even has punctations in the tail terminus. A complete description is ongoing.

Boxwood nematode found in Virginia thought to be a new species of Globodera turns out to be Birch Cyst Nematode, Betulodera betulae. A first report and additional notes about its morphology and molecular taxonomy are underway.

Heterodera iri has been found in several golf courses in Pennsylvania. It is currently being described adding new moderm morphological characterization.

Work continues in building a consortium of microbes for the control of soybean cyst and root-knot nematodes. The Soilborne pathogens and nematodes, including soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines), root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp.), and Agroathelia rolfsii, cause substantial annual losses in U.S. soybean production, and their management remains limited by inconsistent performance of commercial microbial biologicals. This project aligns with AFRI Program Area Priority 7A by addressing the need for soil-stable, mechanistically informed biological control strategies that enhance plant resilience and reduce reliance on synthetic nematicides and fungicides. We will develop a multi-strain bioconsortium anchored by the keystone bacterium Candidatus Pseudomonas auctus JDE115, which produces antifungal and nematicidal VOCs, ISR-activating metabolites, and nutrient-mobilizing compounds. Using statewide soil sampling, shotgun metagenomics, metabolomics, VOC profiling, cross-feeding assays, and quorum-sensing compatibility tests, we will identify the chemical, metabolic, and ecological rules governing consortium stability and pathogen suppression. Candidate consortia will be refined through mechanistic screening and evaluated across contrasting soil environments, with greenhouse and microplot trials conducted under natural SCN, RKN, and A. rolfsii pressure. Expected outcomes include a validated, soil-stable bioconsortium with broad-spectrum suppression; a mechanistic framework linking soil features, microbial interactions, and disease outcomes; predictive models for site-specific deployment; and Extension products including workshops, factsheets, and grower-tested decision tools. This research advances USDA priorities in sustainable crop protection, soil health, biological control innovation, and producer adoption of microbiome- based management solutions.

SOUTH CAROLINA/KANSAS

Participant: William Rutter, wrutter@ksu.edu - Kansas State University

Objective 1.  Understand the fundamental biology and genetics that underlie the evolving nematode threats to agriculture in the Southern region.

Brief highlight of research

Activities: We conducted screens of root-knot nematode (RKN) resistant pepper varieties using an isolate of the peach root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis, a virulent species of RKN that is known to overcome RKN resistant cultivars in multiple specialty crops. In doing so, we discovered a new source of resistance against this nematode exists in another USDA germplasm line (PA136) that was previously considered to be universally susceptible to other RKN species.

We conducted screens to identify RKN resistance in a sweetpotato line ‘Cascade’, that was recently released by the USDA. We confirmed that Cascade is resistant to the most common species of RKN in the southern US, including Meloidogyne incognita, M. Javanica, and M. arenaria. We also confirmed that it is not resistant to the highly virulent species M. enterolobii.

We collaborated with nematologists across the southeast to develop a National Plant Disease Recovery Plan focused on highlighting and responding to the threat posed by Meloidogyne enterolobii in the southeast.

Output: The results from these activities were published in three peer-reviewed journal articles published this year.

Impact: The identification of a new source of resistance against M. floridensis provides a new resource for the pepper breeding community that could lead to the development of new more broadly RKN resistant pepper varieties. 

The release of the new RKN and insect resistant sweetpotato variety, ‘Cascade’ provides growers with additional options for managing these pests in their operations.

The publication of the National Plant Disease Recovery Plan for M. enterolobii provides stakeholders with a resource to help them better understand the threat posed by this nematode and the management strategies that can be used to help slow it’s spread across the U.S. and reduce the damage it causes in areas where M. enterolobii is already established.

Alabama

Peer reviewed

Sloane, M., Kara, G., Bisho, L., & Kathy, L. (2025). Evaluation of small grain cover crops as a sustainable nematode management strategy for Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis in the Southeastern US.  Journal of Nematology, 57(1), 1-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40547571/

Santharaj, D., Lawaju, B., Bhandari, R., Holland, A., Weis, K., Lawrence, K., & Potnis, N. (2025). Foliar infection with Xanthomonas perforans alters the response to root-knot nematodes in tomato. Plant Disease, (ja) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0136-SC

Schloemer, C., Graham, S., Wang, K. H., Sipes, B., Lawaju, B. R., & Lawrence, K. S.  (2025). Approaches to organic sweetpotato cultivation: Managing nematodes, insects pests, and soil health with winter cover crops and biopesticides. Frontiers in Plant Science, 16:1693056. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1693056

Lawaju, B. R., Pickens, J., Conner, K., Ye, W., and Lawrence, K.S. (2025). First report of Meloidogyne enterolobii in Alabama, United States and it is on Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez’). Journal of Nematology (Manuscript accepted for publication)

Abstracts

Lawaju, Bisho and K. S. Lawrence. 2025. Assessing Cotton Varietal and Nematicide Responses to Reniform Nematodes.  2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, New Orleans LA, January 14-16, 2025.  https://www.xcdsystem.com/beltwide/2025/prof332.cfm

Chhetri, Prativa, G. Bhandari, T. Flowers, B. R. Lawaju, and K. S. Lawrence 2025. Salt-tolerant PGPR: a dual approach to suppressing Meloidogyne incognita and promoting cotton production. Journal of Nematology 57:30. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0049.

Bhandari, Gayatri, P. Chhetri, T. Flowers, B. R. Lawaju, and K. S. Lawrence. 2025. Biological control of Meloidogyne incognita and growth promotion in cotton using drought tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Journal of Nematology 57:14. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0049.

Lawaju, Bisho Ram and K. S. Lawrence. 2025. Seed-delivered shield: cyclobutrifluram’s field performance against key cotton nematodes. Journal of Nematology 57:88. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0049.

Lawrence, Kathy S., S. R. Moore, and B. R. Lawaju. 2025. Rotylenchulus reniformis movement and population growth in cotton. Journal of Nematology 57:89. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0049

Extension and outreach

Lawaju, Bisho R., Prativa Chhetri, Gayatri Bhandari, and Kathy Lawrence. 2025. Cotton variety evaluation with and without Velum for Reniform nematode management in North Alabama, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0044-PDMR

Lawaju, Bisho R., Prativa Chhetri, Gayatri Bhandari, and Kathy Lawrence. 2025. Cotton variety evaluation with and without Velum for Reniform nematode management in Central Alabama, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0043-PDMR

Chhetri, Prativa, Gayatri Bhandari, Bisho R. Lawaju, and Kathy S. Lawrence. 2025 Evaluation of PhytoGen cotton varieties in Reniform nematode-infested field in North Alabama, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0045-PDMR

Bhandari, Gayatri, Prativa Chhetri, Bisho R. Lawaju, and Kathy S. Lawrence. 2025. Evaluation of PhytoGen cotton varieties in Root-Knot nematode-infested field in Plant Breeding Unit, Alabama, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0053-PDMR

Lawaju, Bisho R., Kathy S. Lawrence, Scott Graham, and Drew Schrimsher. 2025. Evaluation of Reniform nematode-resistant and -susceptible cotton varieties with and without aldicarb near Belle Mina, AL, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0057-PDMR

Lawaju, Bisho R., C. Schloemer, and K. S. Lawrence. 2025. Evaluation of seed treatment fungicides for cotton seedling disease management near Belle Mina, AL, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-01-25-0033-PDMR

Lawaju, Bisho R., Prativa Chhetri, Gayatri Bhandari, and Kathy Lawrence. 2025. In-furrow nematicides for Root-Knot nematode management on cotton in Alabama, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0040-PDMR

Lawaju, Bisho R., Prativa Chhetri, Gayatri Bhandari, and Kathy Lawrence. 2025. Nematicide and cotton variety combinations for managing Reniform nematodes in North Alabama, 2024. Plant Health Progress doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0039-PDMR

Salazar-Gutierrez, Melba, Erwin Borgus, Samjhana Wagle, Bill Thompson, Brad Miller, Bisho Lawaju, and Kathy Lawrence.  2025. Evaluation of Watermelon Varieties for yield potential and susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita, 2024.  Plant Health Progress doi https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-01-25-0031-PDMR

Lawrence, K. S. and B. Lawaju.  2024. “Cotton varieties with Reniform nematode resistant genes update.” Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center Field Day. July 30^th, 2025. 15-minute oral presentation and walk through the variety test. 65 attendees.

2025. Lawaju and Lawrence, K. S. 2025. “Root knot nematode resistant cotton variety update.” Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center Field Day. August 1^st, 2025. 10-minute oral presentation. 75 attendees.

B. Lawaju and Lawrence, K. S.  2025. “Root knot nematode management in peanut and tomato update.” Brewton Agricultural Research Unit Field Day. August 12^th, 2025. 10-minute oral presentation. 45 attendees.

Arkansas

Peer reviewed

  Betts, A. K., Sisson, A. J., Ahumada, D., Allen, T., Anderson, N., Bergstrom, G. C., Bish, M., Bissonnette, K., Broderick, K., Byamukama, E., Chilvers, M. I., Collins, A., Duffeck, M., Esker, P., Faske, T. R., Friskop, A., Harbach, C., Heiniger, R. W., Isakeit, T., Jackson, T. A., Jardine, D., Kelly, H. M., Kemerait, R. C., Kleczewski, N., Langston, D., Malvick, D., Mideros, S., Meyer, R. F., Mueller, D. S., Mueller, J. D., Onofre, R., Paul, P., Plumblee, M., Price, I., Paul Patrick, Robertson, A. E., Shires, M. K., Sikora, E., Smith, D. L., Telenko, D. E. P., Tenuta, A., Thiessen, L. D., Wise, K., and Zeng, Y. 2025. Corn yield loss estimates due to diseases in the United States and Ontario, Canada, from 2020 to 2023. Plant Health Progress 0:null.

Telenko, D. E. P., Allen, T., Sisson, A. J., Bergstrom, G. C., Betts, A. K., Bish, M., Bissonnette, K., Bond, J. P., Bonkowski, J., Bradley, C. A., Byamukama, E., Camiletti, B., Chilvers, M. I., Collins, A., Damicone, J., Dufault, N., Duffeck, M., Esker, P., Faske, T. R., Grabau, Z. J., Harbach, C., Isakeit, T., Jackson, T. A., Kelly, H. M., Kemerait, R. C., Kleczewski, N., Langston, D., Lofton, J., Lopez-Nicora, H., Lux, L., Malvick, D., Mangel, D., Markell, S., Mathew, F., Mehl, H., Mehl, K. M., Mideros, S., Mueller, D. S., Mueller, J. D., Nelson, B. D., Onofre, R., Padgett, B., Plumblee, M., Price, I., Paul Patrick, Shires, M. K., Sikora, E., Small, I., Smith, D. L., Spurlock, T., Tande, C., Tenuta, A., Thiessen, L. D., Warner, F., Watson, T., Webster, R., Wise, K., and Zeng, Y. 2025. Estimated soybean yield and economic losses caused by diseases in the United States and Ontario, Canada from 2020 to 2024. Plant Health Progress 0:null.

Book

Faske, T. R., Kirkpatrick, T. L., Rothrock, C. S., and Woodward, J. E. 2025. Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests (3rd ed.). The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. Pp. 150

Other publications

Experiment Station Publications

Emerson, M., Baker, B., and Faske, T. R. 2025a. Effectiveness of seed- and soil-applied nematicides in managing corn nematodes. Pg. 18–20. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Experiment Station Research Series 704.

Emerson, M., Baker, B., and Faske, T. R. 2025b. Effectiveness of seed- and soil-applied nematicides in managing corn nematodes. Pg. 17–20. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Experiment Station Research Series 713.

Emerson, M., Emerson, N., Baker, B., and Faske, T. R. 2025c. Evaluation of 19 runner-type peanut lines in 2024 in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Pg. 40–44. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 712.

Kelly, J., and Faske, T., eds. 2025. Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Studies 2024. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville.

 Production guides:

Spurlock, T., Nicolli, C., and Faske, T. R. 2025. Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide, MP154. UADA, Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock, AR.

Blog Articles

Emerson, M., Faske, T. R., Baker, B., Sturdivant, M., and Emerson, N. 2025 Field Performance of One Hundred Five Soybean Varieties Against the Southern Root-knot Nematode and Frogeye Leaf Spot, 2025. Nov 21

Emerson, M. Baker, B., Emerson, N., Sturdivant, M., and Faske, T. R. 2025 Susceptibility and yield response of sixty-nine soybean varieties to frogeye leaf spot and southern root-knot nematode, 2025 (Nov 21

Emerson, M. Baker, B., Emerson, N., and Faske, T. R. 2025 Field Performance of One Hundred Eighteen Soybean Varieties Against the Southern Root-knot Nematode and Frogeye Leaf Spot, 2025. Jan 9

Florida

Peer reviewed

Z.J. Grabau, S. Budhathoki, R. Sandoval-Ruiz, and C. Liu. 2025.  Fluopyram or resistant cultivars manage Meloidogyne arenaria infestation in Virginia-type peanut production. Journal of Nematology 57: article 10. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0010

Z.J. Grabau, C. Liu, P.A. Navia Gine, and R. Sandoval-Ruiz. 2025.  Efficacy of fumigant and non-fumigant nematicides for Belonolaimus longicaudatus management in potato. Plant Disease. In-press. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2626-RE  

2025. Budhathoki, and Z.J. Grabau. 2025. Host suitability of Brassicaceae crops for Belonolaimus longicaudatus in greenhouse conditions. Journal of Nematology 57: article 29. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2025-0029

 Peer reviewed

Di Gioia, F. D., Hong, J. C., Zhao, X., Xu, N., Ono-Raphel, J., Morrison, B., Balaguer, R., Roman, C., Arrington, K., Moreira Calix, D., Desaeger, J., Dini Andreote, F., Schmidt, C., Gao, Z., Chalam, R., Fronk, L., Ford, T., Elkner, T., Goodiel, Y., ...Kaye, J. P. (2024). Advancing organic amendment-based soil management approaches: a paradigm shift from soil disinfestation to nourishing soil health. Acta Horticulturae [05677572], (1410), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.2024.1410.1

Gendron, E. M., Oliveira, C. J., Desaeger, J., & Porazinska, D. L. (2024). Improving understanding of nematode communities in agricultural settings: a comparison of mitometagenomics and morphology. Metabarcoding and Metagenomics, 8. https://doi.org/10.3897/MBMG.8.123387

Oliveira CJ ^G, Subbotin S, Desaeger J, Dahlin P ^P, Vau, S, and Inserra R (2024). Morphological and molecular analysis of two mycophagous nematodes, Aphelenchoides bicaudatus and A. rutgersi (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Florida strawberry. Journal of Nematology 56 (1): 24 pp. https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2024-0021

Coburn, J., & Desaeger, J. (2024). Host status and susceptibility of Cannabis sativa cultivars to root-knot nematodes. Journal of Nematology, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/JOFNEM-2024-0003

Riva, G., Brito, J. A., De Oliveira, C., Marin, M. V., Gu, M., Bui, H. X., & Desaeger, J. (2024). Identification, distribution, and hosts of Meloidogyne spp. infecting horticultural crops in Florida, USA with focus on Meloidogyne enterolobii. Journal of Nematology, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/JOFNEM-2024-0042

De Paula, L. L., Campos, V. P., Terra, W. C., De Brum, D., Jacobs, D. C., Xuan Bui, H., & Desaeger, J. (2024). The combination of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Purpureocillium lilacinum in the control of Meloidogyne enterolobii. Biological Control, 189, 105438. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2023.105438

Faske, T. R., Watson, T., Desaeger, J., Duffeck, M. R., Eisenback, J., Floyd, C. A., Grabau, Z., Hajihassani, A., Kelly, H. M., Kemerait, R. C., Lawrence, K. K., Mueller, J. D., Smith, M., Wheeler, T. A., & Ye, W. (2024). Summarized distribution of the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis , in field crops in the United States. Plant Health Progress, 25(4), 506-508. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-06-24-0059-BR

Other publications:

Extension publications

Li, Y., Cai, Y., Weng, W., Desaeger, J., & Guan, Z. (2025). An Introduction to Economic Analysis of Pest Management: A Case Study of Nematode Management: FE1161, 12/2024. EDIS, 2025(1). https://doi.org/10.32473/EDIS-FE1161-2024

Elwakil W and Desaeger J (2024). Cover Crops for Sting Nematode Management in Florida. PLH123, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Cover-crops-sting-nematode_PLH123.pdf (ufl.edu)

Production Guides

PJ Dittmar, NS Dufault, J Desaeger, J Qureshi, N Boyd, and M Paret (2024). Chapter 4. Integrated Pest Management in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. CV298. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, p. 31-50. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/CV29800.pdf.

L Guodong, B Wells, Y Li, Q Wang, J Desaeger and X. Li (2024) Chapter 5. Ethnic Vegetable Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. CV298. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, p. 51-54. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/cv301

B Wells, H Smith, L Zotarelli, PJ Dittmar, NS Dufault, J Desaeger, Fletcher P and Q Wang (2024). Chapter 6. Cole Crop Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS724. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 55-92. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/CV12200.pdf.

C Frey, NS Boyd, M Paret, Q Wang, J Desaeger, J Qureshi, A Meszaros, N Dufault, Roberts P and X Martini (2024). Chapter 7. Cucurbit Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS725. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  p. 93-148. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv12300.pdf.

PD Roberts, C Frey, A Meszaors, NS Boyd, J Desaeger, and J Qureshi (2024). Chapter 8. Eggplant Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS726. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 149-186. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv12400.pdf.

G Sandoya-Miranda, R Kanissery, NF Dufault, J Desaeger, A Meszaros, J Beuzelin and Xavier K (2024). Chapter 9. Leafy Vegetable Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS728. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 187-234. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv29300.pdf.

Seal DR, Wang Q, Kanissery R, Meszaros A, Snodgrass C, Beuzelin J, Desaeger J, Dufault N, Xavier K, and Zhang S (2024). Chapter 10. Minor Vegetable Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. CV294. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  p. 231-283. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-cv294-2023

C Frey, PJ Dittmar, DR Seal, S Zhang, J Desaeger, and Q Wang (2024). Chapter 11. Legume Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS727. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  p. 289-320. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/CV12500.pdf

J Desaeger, PJ Dittmar, P Roberts, X Martini, S Zhang and L Zotarelli (2024).  Chapter 12. Onion, Leek, and Chive Production in Florida Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS730. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  p. 321-352. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv29900.pdf.

C Frey, EJ McAvoy, J Desaeger, GE Vallad, J Qureshi, and NS Boyd (2024). Chapter 13. Pepper Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS732. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 353-410. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv13000.pdf.

L Zotarelli, PJ Dittmar, PD Roberts, J Desaeger, P Fletcher and B Wells (2024). Chapter 14 in Potato Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS733. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  p. 411-444. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv13100.pdf.

J Beuzelin, PJ Dittmar, B Wells, J Desaeger, L Zotarelli, S Zhang, Q Wang, C Frey and A Meszaros (2024). Chapter 15. Root Crop Production in Florida in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS965. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 445-504. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv30000.pdf.

VM Whitaker, NS Boyd, NA Peres, J Desaeger, S Lahiri and S Agehara (2024). Chapter 16. Strawberry Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS736. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 505-540. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/cv/cv13400.pdf.

KV Xavier, R Kanissery, C Frey, A Meszaros, N Dufault, J Desaeger, J Qureshi and J Beuzelin (2024). Chapter 17. Sweet Corn Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS737. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 541-566. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/CV13500.pdf.

C Frey, R Kanissery, Qureshi J, J Desaeger, and GE Vallad (2024). Chapter 18. Tomato Production in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. HS739. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  p. 567-652. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/CV13700.pdf.

N Peres, G Vallad, J Desaeger and S Lahiri (2024). Chapter 19. Biopesticides and Alternative Disease and Pest Management Products in Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida 2024-2025. CV295. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. p. 653-669. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/CV29500.pdf.

Desaeger J (2024). Nematode Control in Vegetable Crops. In 2024 Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook, SEVEW (Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers), N.C. Cooperative Extension, p 281. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeastern-us-vegetable-crop-handbook (revised from 2019).

Desaeger J and Gorny A (2024). Management of Soilborne Nematodes with Fumigant and Non-fumigant Nematicides. In 2024 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States, SEVEW (Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers), N.C. Cooperative Extension, p 282-283.

Abstracts/scientific meetings

Desaeger, J (2025). American School (USA): Manejo integrado de nemátodos en cultivos de alto valor. International Congress on Biological Control at CATIE: Towards Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture Sostenible, Turrialba, Costa Rica, 16-18 September, 2025.

Desaeger J. and Porazinska D. (2025). Keeping nematodes relevant through global education and collaboration. Organization of Nematologists of Tropical Americas 55th Annual Conference, Cali, Colombia, September 1-5, 2025.

Bui, H. X, Jacobs, D and Desaeger, J. A. (2025). Impact of Summer Cover Crops on Root-Knot Nematode Management and Tomato Yield: A Five-Year Field Study. 2025 Florida Tomato Conference. Clewiston, FL. Sep 4, 2025.

Desaeger J, Bui, H, Xie C and Carter J (2025). Fluopyram and the new wave of flu(orine) crop nematicides – the Florida experience. Society of Nematologists 64th Annual Conference, Victoria, Canada, July 13-16, 2025.

Hung Xuan Bui, Dustin Jacobs, Chenzhao Xie, H. Q. Nguyen and Johan Desaeger (2025). Effect of soil storage duration and two nematode extraction methods on nematode recovery in Florida sandy soil. The 64 Annual SON Conference, Victoria, Canada, July 13-16, 2025.

Bui, H. X, and Desaeger, J. A. (2025). Plant-parasitic nematodes in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: Challenges and opportunities for international collaboration. The 64 Annual SON Conference, Victoria, Canada, July 13-16, 2025.

Jacobs, D, Desaeger J, Lusk M and Grabau Z (2025). Cover crop practices to enhance nematode management, nitrogen utilization and water quality in Florida. Society of Nematologists 64th Annual Conference, Victoria, Canada, July 13-16, 2025.

Bui, H. X., Moreira, D., Carter, J., Elwakil, W., and Desaeger, J. A. 2025. Review of New Reduced-Risk Synthetic Nematicide Experiments in Florida Plasticulture. 138th Annual Meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society, Bonita Springs, Florida, June 8-10, 2025.

Louizias JM, Desaeger, Koenig R, Maltais-Landry G and Chase C (2024). Effect of Cover Crop Species Proportion on Plant-parasitic Nematode Populations under Greenhouse Conditions in Florida. Scientific Note Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 136 :120 https://doi.org/10.32473/fshs.136.1.138264

Desaeger J and Noling J (2024). Integrated Nematode Management for Florida Plasticulture. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Outreach (MBAO) Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, October 29-31, 2024. https://mbao.org/static/docs/confs/2024-orlando/papers/desaegerjmbao2024_plasticultureinm_desaegernoling.docx

Georgia

Peer reviewed

Poudel, N., Davis, R. F., Severns, P. M., McAvoy, T., Jagdale, G. B., Brenneman, T. B. and Chowdhury, I. A. 2025. Differential Response of Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. floridensis, M. haplanaria, and M. incognita to Sublethal Doses of Nonfumigant Nematicides. Phytopathology 115:1215-1222.

Sanabria-Velazquez, A., Chowdhury, I. A., Sit, T. L. and Gorny, A. M. 2025. Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with FTA cards for detection of Meloidogyne enterolobii on sweet potato. Nematology 27:719-727.

Suarez, E., McAvoy, T., Acharya, N. and Chowdhury, I. A. 2025. Impact of Mustard Cover Crops and Amendments on Root-Knot Nematodes, Biomass, and Cucumber Yield in a Plasticulture Production System in Georgia, 2023. Plant Health Progress 26:442.

Afroz, T., Poudel, N., Torres, L. and Chowdhury, I. A. 2025. Comparative Response of Tomato and Pepper to 1, 3-Dichloropropene and Fluopyram for Root-Knot Nematode Management in Georgia, Spring 2023. Plant Health Progress 26:237.

Afroz, T., Poudel, N., Torres, L. and Chowdhury, I. A. 2025. Relative Susceptibility of Tomato and Pepper Crops to Root-Knot Nematodes in Georgia, Fall 2023. Plant Health Progress 26:238.

Poudel, N., Davis, R. F., McAvoy, T., Dutta, B. and Chowdhury, I. A. 2025. Reproduction of Meloidogyne enterolobii on Onion and Potential Yield Suppression. Journal of Nematology 57:20250005.

Dhakal, R., Chowdhury, I. A., Plaisance, A. and Yan, G. 2025. Development of a recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of the new root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus dakotaensis on soybean. Plant Disease 109:603-614.

Poudel, N., Torres, L., Davis, R. F., Jagdale, G. B., McAvoy, T. and Chowdhury, I. A. 2025. Effect of Non-Fumigant Nematicides on Reproduction of Recently Detected Meloidogyne Species in Georgia Under Greenhouse Conditions in Tomato. Horticulturae 11:36.

Rutter, W., Brito, J., Chowdhury, I.A., Desaeger, J., Gorny, A. M., Grabau, Z. J., Hajihassani, A., Watson, T., Waldo, B., Wram, C. and Ye, W., 2025. Recovery Plan for the Guava Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. Plant Health Progress.

Louisiana

Peer reviewed

Miller, T.S., Watson, T.T. (2025) A review of the reniform nematode’s impact on sweetpotato production. Plant Health Progress 26: 252-254. doi.org/10.1094/PHP-03-25-0098-MR

Other publications

Extension publication

Miller, T.S., Watson, T.T. (2025) Sweetpotato Under Siege: How the Reniform Nematode Affects Sweetpotato in the Southern United States. Louisiana Agriculture (Winter 2025 issue).

Mississippi

Peer reviewed:

Grabau, Z.G., Sandoval-Ruiz, R., Singh, S., Thoms, M.F., Liu, C., Oyetunde, A.K., Singh, H. (2025) Resistant peanut cultivars reduce peanut root-knot nematode infestation. Agronomy Journal (Accepted).

Grabau, Z.G., Budhathoki, S., Sandoval-Ruiz, R., Liu, C. (2025) Fluopyram or resistant cultivars manage Meloidogyne arenaria infestation in Virginia-type peanut production. Journal of Nematology. DOI: 10.2478/jofnem-2025-0010

Grabau, Z.G., Liu, C., Navia Gine, P.A., Sandoval-Ruiz, R. (2025) Efficacy of fumigant and non-fumigant nematicides for Belonolaimus longicaudatus management in potato. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2626-RE

  Other publications:

Kuan-Ming Huang, Will Maples, and Chang Liu. Production Processes and Sustainability Challenges for US Sweetpotatoes. Choices Magazine.

North Carolina

Peer reviewed

Jimenez, J.L., Gandhi, P., Ayyappan, D., Gorny, A., Ye, W., and Lobaton, E. 2025. Machine learning techniques for nematode microscopic image analysis: A systematic review. AgriEngineering. [in press].

Rutter, W., Brito, J., Chowdhury, I.A., Desaeger, J., Gorny, A.M., Grabau, Z.J., Hajihassani, A., Watson, T., Waldo, B., Wram, C., Ye, W., and Agudelo, P. 2025. Recovery plan for the guava root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. Plant Health Progress. First Look. DOI: 10.1094/PHP-04-25-0119-RP.

Roberts, D., Gorny, A., Kudenov, M., Jones, D.S., Pratt, L., Malcolm, N., and Williams, C. 2025. Knowledge and opportunities for managing plant-parasitic nematodes using decision intelligence. PhytoFrontiers First Look. DOI: 10.1094/PHYTOFR-09-24-0099-P.

Sanabria-Velazquez, A., Chowdhury, I.A., Sit, T.L., and Gorny, A.M. 2025. Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with FTA cards for detection of Meloidogyne enterolobii on sweet potato.  Nematology 27:719-727. DOI: 10.1163/15685411-bja10418.

Foote, E., Jordan, D.L., Dunne, J., Gorny, A., Lux, LA., Ye, W., Holbrook, C., Monfort, W.S., Stevens, B., Deal, S., and Lanier, I.  2025. Influence of crop sequence, cultivar, and metam sodium on plant-parasitic nematode population and peanut. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management 11:e70061. DOI: 10.1002/eft2.70061.

Foote, E., Jordan, D., Lux, LA., Dunne, J., and Gorny, A. 2025. Influence of Virginia market-type cultivar and fungicide regime on leaf spot disease and peanut yield in North Carolina. Agronomy. 15:1731. DOI: 10.3390/agronomy15071731.

Foote, E., Jordan, D., Gorny, A., Dunne, J., Lux, LA., Shew, B., and Ye, W. 2025. Previous cropping sequence affects plant-parasitic nematodes and yield of peanut and cotton more than continuous use of fluopyram.  Crops. 5:12. DOI: 10.3390/crops5020012.

Chávez, M., Gorny, A., Post, A., and Suchoff, D.  2025. Screening sesame (Sesamum indicum) for resistance to multiple root-knot nematode species (Meloidogyne spp.).  Journal of Nematology 57:e2025-1. DOI: 10.2478/jofnem-2025-0017.

Other publications

Production Guides

2025 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual. (AG-1). Contributed to 5 tables (Tables 10-3, 10-5A, 10-7A, 10-56A, and 10-56B) in Chapter 10. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual/disease-control.

Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers. Kemble, J., Meadows, I., Jennings, K.M., and Walgenbach, J.F., Eds. 2025. Southeastern U.S. 2025 Vegetable Crop Handbook. Contributed to Tables 3-43 and 3-44, Fumigant and non-fumigant nematicide efficacy.

2025 North Carolina Soybean Production Guide (AG-835). Gorny wrote a new separate chapter on nematode management. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-soybean-production-guide.

2025 Tobacco Production Guide. (AG-187). Contributed updates to: Chapter 8. Managing Diseases. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/flue-cured-tobacco-information.

2025 Cotton Production Guide. (AG-417).  Contributed updates to: Chapter 9. Disease Management in Cotton. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/cotton-information.

2025 Peanut Information. (AG-331). Contributed updates to: Chapter 7. Peanut Nematode Management. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/peanut-information. 

Abstracts

Gorny, A.M. 2025. Nematodes escaped! Responding to invasive plant-parasitic nematodes. (Abstr.).  Journal of Nematology 57:57. 

Peer reviewed

McComic, S. E., R. Chen, S. Mishra, W. J. Geldenhuys et al., 2025. Mode of toxicity of the b-            to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 210, 106401.

Bogale, M., E. Sampson, W. Hu., A. Baniya, S. Mishra, K. Kwon et al., 2025. Development                 of monoclonal antibodies for identifying plan-parasitic nematodes. Journal of Nematology 57(1)

Ohio

Peer reviewed

Sanabria-Velazquez, A., Chowdhury, I.A., Sit, T.L., and Gorny, A.M. 2025. Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with FTA cards for detection of Meloidogyne enterolobii on sweet potato.  Nematology 27:719-727. DOI: 10.1163/15685411-bja10418.

Other publications

Abstracts

Sanabria Velazquez, A. D., Ingram, T. W., Lopez Nicora, H. D., Adhikari, T., and Louws, F. J. 2025Interactive Effects of Soil Treatments and Grafting on Microbiome Dynamics and Verticillium Wilt Suppression (Abstr.).  Plant Health Conference, August 5, 2025, Honolulu, HI, United States.

Texas

Peer reviewed  

Wheeler, T. A., C. M. Kelly, J. K. Dever, and M. N. Rondon. 2025. Evaluation of cotton lint yield and root-knot nematode density on commercial varieties with nematode resistance. Journal of Cotton Science 29:172-179.

Other publications:

Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conference: Wheeler, T. A., and M. N. Rondon. 2025. Cotton variety performance in root-knot and reniform nematode fields in the Southern High Plains of Texas. 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, New Orleans, LA, Jan 14-16, 2025. 10 pp.

Abstract (Posters) for the Annual Meeting of the American Peanut Research & Education Society (APRES):

Yerra, M. M., Rajan, N., Cason, J. M., Wheeler, T. A., Guo, W., Young, A. W., Pugh, N. A., Emendack, Y., Mendez, J., Valdez, D., and Burow, M. D. 2025. Improving drought resilience in runner peanuts: Breeding for high yield, high oleic content, and root-knot nematode resistance in West Texas. P. 141. 2025 Proceedings Volume 57, Annual Meeting American Peanut Research & Education Society.

Tiwari, M., Wheeler, T. A., Cason, J. M., Simpson, C. E., Mendu, V., and Burow, M. D. 2025. Transcriptomic analysis of Arachis hypogaea L. to identify genes conferring resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood. P. 142. 2025 Proceedings Volume 57, Annual Meeting American Peanut Research & Education Society.

South Carolina/Kansas

Refereed journal articles:

Wadl, P. A., Rutter, W. B., Jackson, D. M., Schulz, L., Shrestha, S., & Miles, C. USDA ‘Cascade’: A Multiple Pest–Resistant, Rose-skinned, Creamy Yellow-fleshed Sweetpotato. HortScience 60(10), 1772–1774, 2025. DOI:10.21273/HORTSCI18853-25

Rutter, W.B. , Brito, J., Chowdhury, I., Desaeger, J., Gorny, A., Grabau, Z., Hajihassani, A., Watson, T., Waldo, B., Wram, C., Ye, W., Agudelo P. Recovery Plan for the Guava Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. Plant Health Progress (ja).  2025. DOI: 10.1094/PHP-04-25-0119-RP

Khanal, C., Rutter, W.B., Alam, M.S. and I. Alarcon-Mendoza. Meloidogyne floridensis has a unique virulence profile against root-knot nematode resistant and susceptible pepper (Capsicum annuum) lines." Journal of Nematology 57, no. 1, 2025: 20250007. Doi: 10.2478/jofnem-2025-0007