Progress 09/15/00 to 09/14/05
Outputs
Tests were conducted in South Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas to develop concepts and technologies for site-specific detection and control of plant-parasitic nematodes with the aim of optimizing farm profit while minimizing economic inputs and pesticide usage. Results from SC showed that soil type and texture greatly affect Columbia lance nematode distribution, population densities, and damage potential. For example, a 9% drop in sand content resulted in a 57% reduction in nematode density. Results also showed that soil electrical conductivity (EC) can be used to measure soil texture and predict the distribution of nematode species more economically than conventional soil sampling methods. This project has developed a site-specific nematicide placement (SNP) system that is ready for commercial deployment and use by growers. With the SNP system, EC is used to generate accurate, inexpensive geo-referenced, field-level soil textural maps. The EC map then is used to
divide the field into several management zones with subsequent site-specific nematicide applications matching projected nematode densities as predicted by EC. Our system integrates information on numerous soil and crop parameters but is still simple enough to be user-friendly. GPS-based equipment was developed for delivering variable rates of granular (Temik 15G) and fumigant (Telone II) nematicides to appropriate management zones. These systems deliver nematicides with mean application errors of less than 2%. Overall, variable-rate nematicide applications increased yields compared to standard uniform-rate applications at lower costs. Reductions in Telone II applications ranged from 53% in a sandy management zone to 100% in a less sandy zone. Reductions in Temik-15G rates ranged from 20% to 50% in similar soil types. Applying nematicides only where damaging levels of nematodes occurred, the variable-rate Temik 15G and Telone II applications increased lint yield by 5% and 7% compared
to the single uniform rate application, respectively. Yield increases in the sandy portion of the field were significantly higher than in the clay areas. Soil texture in Arkansas and Missouri was a reliable predictor of root-knot nematode distribution and density and could be used to predict effect on cotton yield. In heavier soils effects of root-knot on yield were less than on lighter soils. The results also showed that for a given soil type, the difference in cotton yield between areas treated with Telone II and non-treated were highly correlated with the gall ratings on cotton roots the previous fall. Yield increases of up to 1192 lbs of seed cotton were obtained in management zones where higher levels of nematodes were predicted. However, there were no differences in yield for the treated and non-treated plots in zones where nematode densities were predicted to be low. Programs were presented to several thousand producers and cotton industry personnel during field days in AK, MO,
and SC. In addition results were presented at several international, national, regional and local meetings and workshops.
Impacts
Cotton is the most important agronomic crop in the southern U.S.A. with an estimated production value of $6 billion. The U.S. cotton industry lost an estimated $300 million to nematodes in 2003. Yield losses in individual fields may reach 50%. Site-specific nematode management is an innovative and new technology that will minimize pesticide inputs while optimizing farm profit. This technology matches field variability of nematode distribution with an appropriate variable-rate nematicide application, differentially applying chemical to match the needs of individual management zones within a field. Our data shows that when using variable-rate nematicide application systems producers can expect a $38.00/ac return from higher yields compared to uniform application rates. In the variable rate applications an average of 78% less Telone II and 34% less Temik 15G resulted in additional savings of $28 and $6, respectively. Approximately 50% of cotton fields in the southern US
are infested with levels of plant-parasitic nematodes above damage thresholds. All of these acres have potential to be more profitably managed using site-specific nematicide application than with application of a single uniform rate. Reduction of costs due to lower nematicide rates nationally could result in an additional $35 million in crop revenue. Use of a commercially available soil electrical conductivity meter to predict nematode distributions and densities has the potential to reduce sampling costs by more than 75%.
Publications
- Khalilian, A., Y.J. Han, R.B. Dodd, S. Gorucu, and M. Keskin. 2002. A control system for variable depth tillage. ASAE Technical Paper No. 02-1209, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
- Mathur, D., A. Khalilian, T. O. Owino, and M. J. Sullivan. 2002. Scheduling of subsurface drip irrigation of cotton using Time Domain Transmissometry (TDT). ASAE Technical Paper No. 02-2111, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
- Khalilian, A., Y. J. Han and R. B. Dodd. 2002. Technology for variable depth tillage in coastal plain soils. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 2002, Atlanta, GA, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Mathur, D., T. O. Owino, and A. Khalilian. 2002. Soil moisture determination in multi-layered soil profiles using Time Domain Transmissometry (TDT). ASAE Technical Paper No. 02-3072, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
- Khalilian, A., J. D. Mueller, S. Lewis, and Y. J. Han. 2002. Relationship of Columbia lance and root-knot nematodes to soil type. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 2002, Atlanta, GA, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Khalilian, A. R. E. Williamson, M. J. Sullivan, J. D. Mueller, and F. J. Wolak. 2002. Injected and broadcast application of composted municipal solid waste in cotton. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 18(1): 17-22.
- Wrather, J. A., W. E. Stevens, T. L. Kirkpatrick, and N. R. Kitchen. 2001. Effects of site-specific application of aldicarb on cotton in a Meloidogyne incognita-infested field. Journal of Nematology 33.
- Khalilian, A., J.M. Mueller, Y. J. Han and F.J. Wolak. 2001. Predicting cotton nematodes distribution utilizing soil electrical conductivity. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Volume 1:146-149, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Mueller, J. D., A. Khalilian, Y. J. Han and F. J. Wolak. 2001. Using soil electrical conductivity to predict the distribution of cotton nematodes. Phytopathology 91:S139. Publication no. P-2001-0076-SON.
- Khalilian, A., M. J. Sullivan, J. D. Mueller, A. Shiralipour, F. J. Wolak, R. E. Williamson and R. M. Lippert. 2002. Effects of surface application of MSW compost on cotton production - soil properties, plant responses and pest management. Compost Science & Utilization, 10(3): 270-279.
- Wrather, J. A., G. Stevens, B. Kellams, T. Kirkpatrick, A. Mauromoustakos, J. Mueller, and A. Khalilian. 2003. Site-specific detection and management of Meloidogyne incognita in an upper Mississippi delta cotton field. In Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conference 2003. National Cotton Council. Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Khalilian, A., J.D. Mueller, Y.J. Han, T. Kirkpatrick, and J.A. Wrather. 2003. Soil texture as determinant of variable rate application of nematicides in cotton. ASAE Technical Paper No. 03-1122, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
- Khalilian, A., J. D. Mueller, and Y. J. Han. 2003. Performance of variable rate nematicide application systems. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Wrather, J. A., G. Stevens, B. Kellams, T. Kirkpatrick, A. Mauromoustakos, J. Mueller, and A. Khalilian. 2003. Spectral reflectance of cotton correlation to Meloidogyne incognita soil population density. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Monfort, S., C. Rothrock, A. Mauromoustakos, and T. Kirkpatrick. 2004. Potential usefulness of newly available statistical methods for modeling Meloidogyne incognita, Thielaviopsis basicola and influential soil factors on yield. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Monfort, S., C. Rothrock, and T. Kirkpatrick. 2004. Effect of a novel seed treatment on infection of cotton seedlings by Meloidogyne incognita. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The efficacy of abamectin (Stan) formulated as a seed treatment for nematode management in cotton was evaluated in micro-plots, infested by approximately 4,000 root-knot nematode eggs and juveniles per 500 cm3 soil. Treatments consisted of Stan at 0 and 100 g a.i./100 kg seed and nematicide (Temik) applied to the soil at 0.9 kg a.i./ha. The treatments were evaluated on the root-knot susceptible cotton cultivar Stoneville 4892 BGRR. Plants from Stan-treated seed showed lower numbers of root-knot throughout the 14-day sampling period than plants from untreated seed. Nematode numbers were similar in Stan-treated plants and in plants that received Temik. Root galling severity was lower with both Stan and with Temik than with the untreated controls, and galling severity was comparable for Stan and Temik. These results showed that Stan as a seed treatment may have potential for managing root-knot in cotton. The interrelationship of soil texture and root-knot nematode on
yield was evaluated in a 15-acre commercial cotton field in southeastern Arkansas. The field was divided into 4 soil-texture classes based on percent sand contents and multiple nematode samples were collected and analyzed for nematode species during the growing season. The fumigant nematicide (Telone II) was applied in strips through the field at four different rates to create zones within the field with differential population densities of the nematode. Data was averaged with similar soil types by the amount of Telone II applied. The averaged data was then subjected to multiple regressions to determine relationship between early season root-knot densities, soil texture, and yield. The results showed that in heavier soils a cotton plant can withstand higher root-knot population densities than lighter soils and achieve the same yield potential. Field tests were conducted in SC and AK to determine the feasibility of site-specific detection and control of crop nematodes. GPS-based
equipment was used to control applications of Telone II and Temik 15G at varying rates to specific areas of a field to match the spatial distribution of nematodes. Overall, variable-rate applications of both Telone II and Temik-15G increased cotton yields compared to standard uniform-rate applications. Also, nematicides (uniform or variable-rate applications) significantly increased cotton yields compared to no nematicide applications. Yield increases in the sandy portion of the field were significantly higher than in the clay areas. The nematicide rate needed for adequate control of Columbia lance nematode decreased with increasing soil electrical conductivity (EC) and decreasing % sand. Programs were presented to several hundred producers and cotton industry personnel during field days in AK, MO, and SC. In addition results were presented at the Beltwide Cotton Conference, the ASAE international meeting, and several regional and local meetings.
Impacts
Our data shows that when using variable-rate nematicide application systems producers can expect a $38.00/ac return from higher yields compared to uniform application rates. In the variable rate applications an average of 78% less Telone II and 34% less Temik 15G resulted in additional savings of $28 and $6, respectively. Approximately 50% of cotton fields in the southern US are infested with levels of plant-parasitic nematodes above damage thresholds. All of these acres have potential to be more profitably managed using site-specific nematicide application than with application of a single uniform rate. Reduction of costs due to lower nematicide rates nationally could result in an additional $35 million in crop revenue. Use of a commercially available soil electrical conductivity meter to predict nematode distributions and densities has the potential to reduce sampling costs.
Publications
- Monfort, S., C. Rothrock, A. Mauromoustakos, and T. Kirkpatrick. 2004. Potential usefulness of newly available statistical methods for modeling Meloidogyne incognita, Thielaviopsis basicola and influential soil factors on yield. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Monfort, S., C. Rothrock, and T. Kirkpatrick. 2004. Effect of a novel seed treatment on infection of cotton seedlings by Meloidogyne incognita. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Field tests were conducted for the third consecutive year in SC, MO, and AK to determine the feasibility of site-specific detection and control of crop nematodes. GPS-based equipment was used to control applications of Telone II and Temik 15G at varying rates to specific areas of a field to match the spatial distribution of nematodes. Overall, variable-rate applications of both Telone II and Temik-15G increased cotton yields compared to standard uniform-rate applications. Also, nematicides (uniform or variable-rate applications) significantly increased cotton yields compared to no nematicide applications. Yield increases in the sandy portion of the field were significantly higher than in the clay areas. The nematicide rate needed for adequate control of Columbia lance nematode decreased with increasing soil electrical conductivity (EC) and decreasing % sand. Savings in Telone II applications ranged from 53% in sandy portion of the field (85 to 89% sand) to 100% in
heavier soil portion (72 to 76% sand) of the field. Reductions in Temik-15G rates ranged from 20% to 50% in the same soil types. During 2003, plots were established in a field near Leachville, AR that was infested with southern root-knot nematode. The objective was to determine the correlation between fall 2002 root gall ratings on cotton in 12 locations in the field and yield differences during 2003 between plots treated pre-plant with 5 gal./acre Telone II and not treated at each location. There was a significant positive correlation between 2002 fall gall ratings and 2003 yield difference between the two treatments, Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.67498 and probability = 0.016. These results show that the difference in cotton yield between areas treated with Telone II and non-treated cotton were highly correlated with the gall ratings on cotton roots the previous fall. For example, yield for the treated plots was 1192 lbs of seed cotton greater than the non-treated plots in
areas where the fall 2002 gall rating was 4.0 (scale was 1 to 7 where 7 was all roots galled). However, there were no differences in yield for the treated and non-treated plots in areas where the fall 2002 root gall rating was 1. Fall gall ratings may be useful for directing site-specific applications of Telone II for management of root-knot nematode. Programs were presented to several hundred producers and cotton industry personnel during field days in AK, MO, and SC. In addition results were presented at the Beltwide Cotton Conference, the ASAE international meeting, several regional and local meetings, at a workshop on nematode management in San Antonio, TX and as a poster in the Cotton Disease Conference.
Impacts
Our data shows that when using variable-rate nematicide application systems producers can expect a $38.00/ac return from higher yields compared to uniform application rates. In the variable rate applications an average of 78% less Telone II and 34% less Temik 15G resulted in additional savings of $28 and $6, respectively. Approximately 50% of cotton fields in the southern US are infested with levels of plant-parasitic nematodes above damage thresholds. All of these acres have potential to be more profitably managed using site-specific nematicide application than with application of a single uniform rate. Reduction of costs due to lower nematicide rates nationally could result in an additional $35 million in crop revenue. Use of a commercially available soil electrical conductivity meter to predict nematode distributions and densities has the potential to reduce sampling costs.
Publications
- Wrather, J. A., G. Stevens, B. Kellams, T. Kirkpatrick, A. Mauromoustakos, J. Mueller, and A. Khalilian. 2003. Site-specific detection and management of Meloidogyne incognita in an upper Mississippi delta cotton field. In Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conference 2003. National Cotton Council. Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Khalilian, A., J.D. Mueller, Y.J. Han, T. Kirkpatrick, and J.A. Wrather. 2003. Soil texture as determinant of variable rate application of nematicides in cotton. ASAE Technical Paper No. 03-1122, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
- Khalilian, A., J. D. Mueller, and Y. J. Han. 2003. Performance of variable rate nematicide application systems. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Wrather, J. A., G. Stevens, B. Kellams, T. Kirkpatrick, A. Mauromoustakos, J. Mueller, and A. Khalilian. 2003. Spectral reflectance of cotton correlation to Meloidogyne incognita soil population density. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Tests were conducted for the second year in South Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas to determine the feasibility of site-specific detection and control of crop nematodes. GPS-based equipment for controlling the rates of Telone II and Temik 15G to match the spatial distribution of nematodes were developed and tested under actual field conditions. Tests were conducted to compare efficacy of variable-rate vs. uniform-rate nematicide applications. Both variable-rate applicators closely followed the recommended nematicide application-rate maps with mean absolute measurement error of 1.1% for Temik 15G and 2.1% for Telone II. The nematicide rates needed for adequate control of Columbia lance nematode increased with increasing % sand as predicted by soil EC. All rates of nematicides increased the cotton yield compared to no-nematicide treatment. The yield increase in the sandy portion of the field was significantly higher than the clay areas. The variable-rate Temik 15G
system resulted in 5% higher yield and 34% lower nematicide usage compared to a single rate application. Variable-rate Telone II applications increased lint yield by 5% with a 78% reduction in nematicide usage compared to a single rate application. Nematode densities were highly correlated to soil texture as measured by soil EC. In Missouri, there was a significant, positive correlation between yield increase for the nematicide treatment over the control and root galling. For this site, the nematicide treatment was not economical in areas of the field where the harvest gall index was 2.5 or less. Application of nematicide to areas of this site where the root gall severity was at this level or greater would pose less environmental risk and may result in greater producer profits than uniform application. We found that the roots of at least 10-plants/200 ft2 should be rated for galls to accurately predict the level of root galling in the area. Grid sampling cotton fields after harvest to
determine root galls may be useful for site-specific detection of M. incognita.
Impacts
More than 50% of South Carolina cotton fields are infested with above damage threshold levels of Columbia lance or root knot nematodes. All of these acres have potential to be more profitably managed using site-specific nematicide application than with application of a single rate to a whole field. Our work showed that variable-rate nematicide application resulted in 34% less Temik 15G and 78% less Telone II per acre compared to the uniform application rates while increasing cotton yields. South Carolina farmers annually apply about 800,000 kg Temik to cotton fields. Even a 20% reduction in nematicide use will save over $1 million to our cotton growers. Reduction of costs due to less nematicide applications nationally could result in an additional $35 million in crop revenue. Use of a commercially available soil electrical conductivity meter to detect nematodes has potential to reduce sampling costs by more than 75%. Spatial-based information will enable growers to
apply nematicides only to locations and in the amounts needed in the field.
Publications
- Khalilian, A., J. D. Mueller, S. Lewis, and Y. J. Han. 2002. "Relationship of Columbia lance and root-knot nematodes to soil type." Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 2002, Atlanta, GA, National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN. http://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceeding.
- Khalilian, A. R. E. Williamson, M. J. Sullivan, J. D. Mueller, and F. J. Wolak. 2002. Injected and broadcast application of composted municipal solid waste in cotton. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 18(1): 17-22.
- Khalilian, A., M. J. Sullivan, J. D. Mueller, A. Shiralipour, F. J. Wolak, R. E. Williamson and R. M. Lippert. 2002. Effects of surface application of MSW compost on cotton production - soil properties, plant responses and pest management. Compost Science & Utilization, 10(3): 270-279.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Tests were conducted in South Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas to determine whether electrical conductivity could be used to map soil texture on a field-wide basis in a timely and economical manner and to determine whether nematode densities and subsequent crop yield losses can be significantly correlated to soil texture. Use of soil electrical conductivity (SEC) to measure soil texture and predict the distribution of nematode species (Meloidogyne incognita and Hoplolaimus columbus) was very successful. SEC was positively correlated (0.97) with percentage clay and a negatively correlated (0.96) with percentage sand in a loamy sand field and was used to develop an accurate soil type distribution map of the field. This map was also highly correlated to the yield map generated with a yield monitor. Recovery at planting and harvest of Columbia lance nematode decreased as soil electrical conductivity increased. A 9% drop in percentage sand resulted in a 57% reduction in
nematode population density. In South Carolina 64% less aldicarb was required per acre in areas treated with the variable-rate nematicide application compared to the uniform application rate without affecting cotton yields where Columbia lance nematodes were present. The three-nematicide treatments (6.0 gal/acre Telone II + 4.0 lbs/acre aldicarb; 3.0 gal/acre Telone II + 4.0 lbs/acre aldicarb; 6.0 lbs/acre aldicarb) significantly reduced at-harvest galling indices: reductions for the Telone II treatments were greater than for the 6.0 lbs/acre aldicarb treatment. In Missouri, grid sampling for nematodes indicated that 69% of a test field had a root-knot nematode population density below the damage threshold. Yields for the standard rate and site-specific rate treatments were similar and greater than the control (no nematicide) treatment. Up to 61% less aldicarb was used for the site-specific than the uniform-rate treatment. Using SEC to predict the distribution of soil textures and
nematodes within a field is achievable in a sandy or loamy sand soil type.
Impacts
Meloidogyne incognita and Hoplolaimus columbus currently are controlled in cotton by the uniform application of nematicides across a field. In this system a significant portion of the nematicide is applied where nematode densities are below treatment thresholds. Variable rate applications of nematicides would allow application of the nematicide only to areas of the field where treatment thresholds are exceeded. Soil composition, especially percentage of sand, is one of the primary factors influencing nematode distribution. Soil electrical conductivity (SEC) can predict the sand content of a sandy loam soil with a very high degree of accuracy. Use of a commercially available SEC meter coupled with a GPS system allows mapping of a 50-acre field in several hours. These maps can then be used for cost-effective variable-rate applications of nematicides. Site-specific application of nematicides for nematode management in cotton may pose fewer environmental risks than the
uniform-rate application of nematicides.
Publications
- Khalilian, A., J.M. Mueller, Y. J. Han and F.J. Wolak. 2001. "Predicting cotton nematodes distribution utilizing soil electrical conductivity." Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Volume 1:146-149, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Mueller, J. D., A. Khalilian, Y. J. Han and F. J. Wolak. 2001. "Using soil electrical conductivity to predict the distribution of cotton nematodes." Journal of Nematology 33(4):268
- Wrather, J. A., W. E. Stevens, T. L. Kirkpatrick, and N. R. Kitchen. 2001. Effects of site-specific application of aldicarb on cotton in a Meloidogyne incognita-infested field. Journal of Nematology 33(4):
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