REPRODUCTIVE RATE DIFFERENCES OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES FROM MULTIPLE CROPS IN A SINGLE FIELD

Abstract

Three soil samples were taken from a root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne, RKN) infested field in central Alabama at the Auburn University Plant Breeding Unit (PBU) near Tallassee, AL, in October of 2016.  Each soil sample represented the crop planted in the field: cotton, soybean, and corn.  A differential-host test was run on each of the samples for RKN species and race identification, and for host range and reproductive analysis.  The reproductive factor was calculated for each population on eight different crops, and all three samples were determined to be Meloidogyne incognita race 3.  Reproductive factors for each population varied across the different hosts, but all three populations were the same RKN species and race.  Thus, management for each section of the field remains the same in regard to crop rotation and nematicide application.  However, these results do suggest that there is some variability of the reproductive factor among host crops despite being the same species and race of RKN.