Effects of Cover Crops and Fallowing on Populations of Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Meloidogyne incognita and Subsequent Crop Yields

Abstract

High populations of the sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, developed on summer cover crops of a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor x S. sudanense), sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and weeds. Moderate populations occurred on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), but populations were low after hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta) and fallowing. A root-knot nematode. Meloidogyne incognita, did not develop to high populations on any of the crops but was more numerous on vegetable crops following sesbania and cowpea. Yields of the first crops (snap beans and cabbage) following the cover crops that had built up populations of B. longicaudatus were greatly increased following in-row applications of 2.24 kg/ha of fenamiphos. Only moderate increases in yield occurred for treatment with fenamiphos following soil fallow and cover crops that did not build up this nematode. Yields of the second crop of vegetables (cucumbers) following the summer cover crops and fallowing were improved and popul