Crops Uncommon to Alabama for the Management of Meloidogyne arenaria in Peanut

Abstract

In a 1987 field study juveniles of Meloidogyne arenaria assayed at the time of peanut harvest were almost undetectable in plots planted with American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana), castor bean (Ricinus communis), partridge pea (Cassiafasiculata), sesame (Sesamum indicum), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), whereas plots with peanut (Arachis hypogaea) averaged 120 juveniles/100 cm³ soil. Application of aldicarh in peanut resulted in an average of 27 juveniles/100 cm³ soil. In 1988 all plots were planted to peanut and the aldicarb treatment was repeated in plots that had the nematicide in 1987. In 1988 peanut yields from plots that had no peanut in 1987 were 51-69% higher than the yield from those with continuous peanut and no nematicide. Aldicarb resulted in a 57% increase in yield, which is comparable to 1-year rotation to a nonhost crop. In 1988 harvest-time M. arenaria juvenile population densities in soil were the lowest in plots that had castor bean in 1987; however, the partridge pea-peanut and the sesame-peanut rotations also reduced numbers of juveniles when compared with continuous peanut with no nematicide. The aldicarb treatment resulted in juvenile population densities equivalent to those found with either the partridge pea or the sesame rotations. Rotations with American joint vetch or cotton did not result in lower juvenile population densities in peanut in 1988. Key words: Aeschynomene americana, American jointvetch, Arachis hypogaea, Cassia fasiculata, castor bean, cotton, cropping system, cultural practice, Gossypium hirsutum, Meloidogyne arenaria, peanut, pest management, Ricinus communis, root-knot nematode, rotation, sesame, Sesamum indicum.