Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Over the course of this project, experiments have been conducted in field, microplot, greenhouse and laboratory environments. Survey data are used to maintain a current census of genera, species and pathotypes of agriculturally important plant parasitic nematodes. In particular, studies have documented the greatly expanded geographic distribution and pathogenic and reproductive variability of the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis and the greatly reduced distribution and importance of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines. Oral presentations of research findings have been made at nine professional meetings here in North America and Hawaii and abroad in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Contributions have been made annually to the Louisiana Plant Disease Control Guide, and presentations have been made at meetings of local producer organizations and turf management workshops. One M.S. (J.D. Bruce) and one Ph.D. student (M.J. Pontif) have received degrees. One educational multimedia production (18 months in production) was completed and critically reviewed by an international panel of 18 veteran nematologists in 2009. This production, entitled, "Introduction to Nematodes" is authored by E.C. McGawley and two of his former students (Drs. C. Overstreet and M.J. Pontif). It will be posted on the internet for free download (in Spanish and in English) worldwide from the websites of The Society of Nematologists (http://www.nematologists.org/) and The Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America (http://www.ontaweb.org/). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Principal investigator on the Louisiana portion of this regional project was E.C. McGawley. Other individuals who worked on the project were graduate students J.Bruce and M.J. Pontif (Research Associate and graduate student). J. Bruce conducted research on the egg biology of reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) and M.J. Pontif assisted in all research activities and also conducted research on the impact of root leachates from weeds on the eclosion of eggs of reniform nematode. Partner Organizations: None Collaborators at LSU: Professors J.W. Hoy, J. Boudreaux, C. Overstreet and R. Bracy. Training or professional development: annual seminars at Southeastern Louisiana University on plant pathology and nematology impact on agriculture and career opportunities. Industry collaborators: Dr. David Nielsen - Research Scientist, Cal-Agri Products, LLC Dr. Peter Morello - Research Scientist, Nuvilex Corp. Mr. Thomas Hewitt - Senior Scientist, Pasteuria Bioscience TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: soybean, cotton, sugarcane, rice, vegetable and recreational turf producers in Louisiana. Efforts: Annual federal CRIS report entries, individual publications in professional and producer directed and extension publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: none
Impacts
Over the course of this project we have documented the efficacy of Agri-Terra, a new, environmentally responsible and soon-to-be registered nematicide. Evaluations of this product have been conducted under greenhouse, microplot or field conditions against all major nematode species found on cotton, soybean, sugarcane, rice, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, cucumber and strawberry. On each of these 12 crops, the compound has significantly reduced nematode populations. Moreover, it has produced enhanced growth and significantly increased yields with half of the crops. In microplot and field trials where it has been compared with conventional and much more toxic nematicides such as aldicarb, phenamiphos, carbofuran and methyl bromide it has proven to be at least equally efficacious. In trials conducted during the last 2 years of this project, Agri-Terra has also proven to be an effective tool for the management of nematodes in recreational turf settings, especially golf courses. Another line of investigation related to the chemical management of nematodes, especially reniform nematode, pursued during the tenure of this project involved the evaluation of naturally occurring, allelopathic compounds produced by three weed species endemic in cotton and soybean fields in Louisiana. Root exudates from weeds, morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) inhibit reproduction of reniform nematode on both cotton and soybean by retarding the eclosion process of eggs of the nematode.
Publications
- McGawley, E. C., M. J. Pontif, C. Overstreet, and J. B. Sumner. 2005. Interaction of Nematodes with Other Agricultural Pest Species. Proceedings of the Society of Nematologists Forty-fourth Annual Meeting. P. 52.
- Pontif, M. J. and E. C. McGawley. 2005. Impact of Three weed species on reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton and Soybean. Proceedings of the Society of Nematologists Forty-fourth Annual Meeting. P. 61.
- Bruce, J. M. and E. C. McGawley. 2006. Egg Biology, Reproduction and Ecology of Rotylenchulus reniformis Isolates. Journal of Nematology 38: 264.
- Nielsen, D. I., Kemper, R. B., Steckler, R. M. and McGawley, E. C. 2006. Cal-Agri Products for the Management of Important Agricultural Pests. Journal of Nematology 38: 285.
- Pontif, M. J., and McGawley, E. C. 2006. Impact of Three Weed Species on Reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton and Soybean. Journal of Nematology 38: 287
- Nakada, N., Steckler, R. M., and McGawley, E.C. 2006. Cal-Agri Products for the Management of Important Agricultural Pests. Nematropica 36:137.
- Steckler, R. M., Nakada, N., and McGawley, E. C. 2006. Efficacy of Agri-Terra Against Phytoparasitic Nematodes. Nematropica 36:149.
- McGawley, E.C. 2007. Proceedings of the XVI International Plant Protection Congress. A summary of six years of greenhouse, microplot and field experimentation with a new in-furrow, at-planting material for the management of plant parasitic nematodes of major agricultural crops in the southern United States. Pages 12-19.
- Pontif, M.J. and E.C. McGawley 2008. The Influence of Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) on Reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis with emphasis on the eclosion and hatching of eggs. Nematropica 38:23-35.
- McGawley, E.C., M.J. Pontif and C. Overstreet. 2008. Agri-Terra, a new low-rate nematicide. Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Nematology; pg. 313.
- Overstreet, C. and E.C. McGawley. 2008. Reniform nematode and cotton production in the USA. Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Nematology; pg. 183.
- Pontif, M.J. and E.C. McGawley 2007. The Influence of Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) on Reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) L. and Soybean (Glycine max). (L.) Merrill. Nematropica 37:295-305.
- McGawley, E.C. and M.J. Pontif. 2007. Agri-Terra, a new material for the management of plant parasitic nematodes: field studies. Journal of Nematology 39:76.
- Pontif, M.J. and E.C. McGawley. 2007. The Influence of Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) on Reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) L. and Soybean (Glycine max). (L.) Merrill. J Nematol 39:76.
- Overstreet, C., E. Burris, D.R. Cook, E.C. McGawley, B. Padgett, and M. Wolcott. 2007 Telone II fumigation. 2007 Beltwide Cotton Proceedings pp. 587-597.
- Overstreet, C., E. Burris, E.C. McGawley, B. Padgett, and M. Wolcott. 2007 The response of nematicides in cotton across Mississippi alluvial soils. 2007 Proceedings LASA, p. 21.
- Overstreet, C., Ferrin, D.M. and E.C. Mcgawley. 2008 "Louisiana Plant Pathology: Southern Root-knot Nematode on Vegetables (PDF Format Only)."
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: From the support of this project, my lab has successfully submitted two abstracts for the International Congress of Nematology. The significance of the results obtained from this research has been shared with the scientific and agricultural producer communities in America, Australia and Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Principal Investigator: Edward C. McGawley, Ph.D., Co-Investigators in the LSU AgCenter: Regina Bracy, Ph.D. and James Boudreaux, Ph.D. Collaborators at Cal-Agri Products, LLC: David Nielsen, Ph.D. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include the nematology community, agricultural producers and the agricultural protection industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Agricultural production has been significantly impacted by the impending loss of many effective but environmentally incompatible nematicides. Much research in public and private sectors is currently directed toward the identification and labeling of materials which manage parasitic nematode populations with minimal negative environmental consequences. Research in my lab, in collaboration with Cal-Agri Products, LLC of Los Angeles California, has led to the identification and formulation of a material, Agri-Terra which may fit this description. In 2008, trials with strawberry, eggplant, bell pepper, tomato and corn that were established in field environments using real-world production protocols. Soil treatments that significantly increased the yield of strawberry resulted from 345 pounds per acre of Methyl Bromide, from 10GPA of one percent Agri-Terra and from 400GPA of two percent Agri-Verde, a sister product of Agri-Terra. In trials with tomato, eggplant and bell pepper, Agri-Terra was applied as transplant-dip, irrigation-line and in-transplant-hole treatments. Very significant yield increases occurred with eggplant and tomato, especially when product application was via a transplant-dip.
Publications
- McGawley, E.C., M.J. Pontif and C. Overstreet. 2008. Agri-Terra, a new low-rate nematicide. Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Nematology; pg. 313.
- Overstreet, C. and E.C. McGawley. 2008. Reniform nematode and cotton production in the USA. Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Nematology; pg. 183.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Agri-Terra, a new ultra-low dosage nematicide, has been advanced to the final stages of EPA registration due to the efficacy data that we have provided over the last five years. Data demonstrate control of all major plant parasitic nematodes on twelve crop species important in Louisiana and the southern United States.
Impacts
Research in 2007 with Agri-Terra and Agri-Verde, a new microbial-based fertilizer, involved studies with corn and strawberry in field environments using real-world production protocols. Yield of DeKalb 6971 corn treated at planting with 10 gallons per acre of one percent Agri-Terra plus either 50 or 100 gallons per acre of four percent Agri-Verde two weeks later was increased significantly above that of the non-treated control. Thirty to 44 percent reductions in the densities of resident nematode populations were concomitant with these yield responses. Soil at the Hammond, LA location, centered in the strawberry-producing area of the state, was infested with the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, and ring nematode, Criconemella xenoplax prior to establishment of the strawberry test to insure the presence of damaging species and levels of nematodes. Twelve of 19 chemical treatments resulted in significantly increased height of Festival strawberry plants as well as
significantly increased numbers of leaves and runners relative to those of the non-treated control. Numbers of root-knot juveniles in soil were reduced significantly by 15 of the 19 chemical treatments. Methyl Bromide was a pre-transplant component of six of these treatments although control with only Agri-Terra at ten and 100 gallons per acre was equivalent to that observed with Methyl Bromide alone. With the 100 but not the ten gallon rate of Agri-Terra, application via drip irrigation was as efficacious as that observed with application into the transplant hole. The increased production of corn in Louisiana coupled with federally mandated reductions and eventual elimination of Methyl Bromide for pathogen control justify these studies. The identification of environmentally responsible and affordable nematicides will mean greater profits for producers and lower prices for consumers.
Publications
- Pontif, M. J. and E. C. McGawley. 2007. The Influence of Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) on Reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and Soybean (Glycine max). Nematropica 37:295-305.
- McGawley, E.C. 2007. Management of Nematode Parasites of Major Crops in Louisiana with Agri-Terra. Proceedings of the 2007 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions. 13: 1-4.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The efficacy of Agri-Terra, a promising new material from Cal-Agri Products, LLC, was evaluated on cotton against reniform nematode under field conditions at rates of 10, 15 and 20 GPA of a 1% solution. For the fourth consecutive year, yields in 2006 were increased significantly and populations of the nematode were reduced significantly. In vegetable field trials conducted in soil heavily infested with reniform nematode, overall yields of tomato and cucumber but not bell pepper were increased significantly in plots treated with 10 GPA of Agri-Terra. All fruit was graded according to commercial standards. Overall yield increases for tomato and cucumber resulted from significant increases in the Extra-Large and Large and Super-Select and Select categories, respectively.
Impacts
A totally pesticide free agriculture production system is probably not realistic. However, there is a great need for more environmentally responsible, reduced toxicity materials which still provide acceptable levels of pest management. Agri-Terra, a new nematicide, has efficacy against many common and damaging nematode species as well as several important insect pests such as whiteflies and aphids. This material has shown great promise over five years of testing in the United States and in Asia.
Publications
- McGawley, E. C., and Pontif, M. J. 2006 Chemical Management of Nematodes in Louisiana: 2000-2005 Field and Microplot Trials With Cotton, Soybean, Sugarcane, Rice, Assorted Vegetables and Turf. Nematropica 36: in press
- Nakada, N., Steckler, R. M., and McGawley, E.C. 2006. Cal-Agri Products for the Management of Important Agricultural Pests. Nematropica 36: in press
- Overstreet, C., McGawley, E. C., Burris, E., Cook, D., Padgett, G. B., and M. Wolcott, M. 2006. Progress in Field Mapping Nematode Populations and Potential Uses of Electrical Conductivity to Create Management Zones. Nematropica 36: in press
- Steckler, R. M., Nakada, N., and McGawley, E. C. 2006. Efficacy of Agri-Terra Against Phytoparasitic Nematodes. Nematropica 36: in press
- Overstreet, C., G. Burris, D. Cook, E.C. McGawley, B. Padgett and M. Wolcott. 2006. Delineation of Nematode Management Zones Based on Nematicide Response and Soil Electrical Conductivity. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, p. 106.
- Overstreet, C., G. Burris, D. Cook, E.C. McGawley, B. Padgett and M. Wolcott. 2006. Using Geospatial Technologies to Better Manage Nematode Problems. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, p. 164.
- McGawley, E. C., Pontif, M. J., Bruce, J. B., and Overstreet, C. 2006. Efficacy of Agri-Terra Against Nematodes Associated With Major Crop Species in Louisiana. Journal of Nematology 38: 282.
- Nielsen, D. I., Kemper, R. B., Steckler, R. M. and McGawley, E. C. 2006. Cal-Agri Products for the Management of Important Agricultural Pests. Journal of Nematology 38: 285.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Soil used in microplot trials during 2005 was a steam-sterilized sandy clay loam with pH of 7.1 and organic matter content of approximately 1%. Three vegetable crops, tomato (BHN 444), cucumber (Dasher II), and pepper (Keystone) plus cotton (Deltapine 434RR) and soybean (Deltapine 4331) were employed in 2005 microplot trials. Twenty-four hours prior to transplanting vegetable seedlings or planting cotton or soybean seed, soil in microplots was infested with 1000 Rotylenchulus reniformis juveniles for tomato, pepper, soybean and cotton and 1000 Meloidogyne incognita juveniles for cucumber. At the time of transplanting or planting, seven treatments involving addition of Agri-Terra alone, 3 rates of commercial blackstrap molasses (15, 30 or 45 grams per gallon) each alone or Agri-Terra combined separately with each of the 3 molasses concentrations was added to nematode-infested soil in microplots. Five types of controls were also included in each microplot trial: each
molasses rate added to soil to evaluate effects of the molasses on plant growth in the absence of nematodes, plants grown in nematode-infested soil and left non-treated as an indicator of nematode pathogenicity and a complete control, plants grown in the absence of either nematodes or chemical treatment. The duration of all vegetable microplot trials was full-season and plant growth data was collected at harvest (07/26/05 for cucumber, 07/27/05 for tomato, and 08/20/05 for pepper). Soybean and cotton microplot trials were terminated approximately one month before harvest maturity (08/27/05 and 08/28/05 respectively) because of the approach of hurricane Katrina that hit Louisiana on 08/29/05 and severely damaged the entire microplot facility. Cumulative tomato production across the four harvest intervals paralleled plant growth parameters. The greatest yields, 3725.8 and 3376.1 grams, respectively, were obtained from plants representing the complete control and Agri-Terra treatments.
The addition of molasses, either in the presence or absence of nematodes, produced no yield enhancement relative to controls. Cumulative cucumber production across the six harvest intervals paralleled plant growth parameters. The greatest yields, 4411.2 and 4026.4 grams, respectively, were obtained from plants representing the Agri-Terra and complete control treatments. In the presence of root-knot nematode, the 15 gram per gallon rate but not the 30 or 45 gram rates of molasses resulted in yields significantly greater than the control treatment (11). When combined with Agri-Terra, the three molasses treatments had cumulative yields significantly lower than those for Agri-Terra alone. Data for cumulative pepper yield and average individual fruit weight showed molasses effects which were less adverse than in the other two microplot trials with vegetables. Yields for treatments 4 (Agri-Terra alone), 12 (the complete control), 6 (30 grams per gallon of molasses combined with Agri-Terra)
and 10 (45 grams of molasses added to nematode-free soil) were the greatest and statistically equal. Field and micrpolt trials with cotton and soybean which were established were lost due to hurricane Katrina.
Impacts
Most nematicides are harmful to the environment. It is doubtful that modern agriculture can be carried out without pesticides. Agri-Terra, a new pesticide, has efficacy against many common and damaging nematode species as well as several importantr insect pests such as whiteflies and aphids. The material is safe to handle and has minimal adverse environmental consequences.
Publications
- VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ROTYLENCHULUS RENIFORMIS IN COTTON FIELDS. Robinson, A. F., R. Akridge, J. M. Bradford, C. G. Cook, W. S. Gazaway, T. L. Kirkpatrick, G. W. Lawrence, G. Lee, E. C. McGawley, C. Overstreet, B. Padgett, R. Rodriguez-Kabana, A. Westphal, and L. D. Young. Journal of Nematology 37 (3): 265-271. 2005 The Society of Nematologists 2005.
- INTERACTION OF NEMATODES WITH OTHER AGRICULTURAL PEST SPECIES. McGawley, E. C., M. J. Pontif, C. Overstreet, and J. B. Sumner. Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Proceedings of the Society of Nematologists Forty-fourth Annual Meeting, July 9- 13, 2005. pg. 52
- CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT OF NEMATODES IN LOUISIANA: 2000-2004 FIELD AND MICROPLOT TRIALS WITH RICE, SOYBEAN, SUGARCANE, COTTON AND ASSORTED VEGETABLES. McGawley, E. C., M. J. Pontif, C. Overstreet, and J. B. Sumner. Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Proceedings of the Society of Nematologists Forty-fourth Annual Meeting, July 9- 13, 2005. pg. 52
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
In 2004, seventeen treatments, eleven involving individual or combined experimental nematicides from Cal-Agri Products of Los Angeles, California and six types of controls, were employed in microplot trials with 'Patio' tomato, 'Keystone' bell pepper, 'Dasher II' cucumber, 'NuCotton 33B' cotton and 'Cocodrie' rice. In all trials, the experimental compound, Agri-Terra, was used at a rate equivalent to ten gallons per acre and applied thirty minutes prior to planting (04/23/2004 for vegetables and 05/03/2004 for cotton and rice) at a dilution of 99 parts water to one part Agri-Terra (a one percent solution). Three additional materials, labeled as 'new compounds' one, two, and three, were evaluated alone as a preplant treatment (same rate and dilution as that used for Agri-Terra) and in combination with Agri-Terra as a mid-season (06/09/2004 for vegetables and 08/06/2004 for cotton and rice) one percent soil additive or as a 300:1 foliar spray applied to 'drip-off'
(approximately 200 milliliters per plant). Fertilization and pesticide usage employed were those typical in Louisiana for each of the five crops. Microplots in each area were arranged in a randomized block design with five to six replications. Relative to the nematode inoculated control, the application of Agri-Terra at planting produced significant increases in root weight, top weight, plant weight, the number of tomatoes harvested, and the cumulative and average fruit weights. Additionally, the preplant treatment with Agri-Terra resulted in a significant reduction, which averaged about 71 percent, in the nematode population in the soil. Harvest data for the microplot trial with cucumber showed that the application of Agri-Terra at planting produced significant increases in root, top, and plant weights as well as reductions in nematode populations that averaged 61 percent. The cucumber yield across six harvests following treatment with a single preplant application of Agri-Terra was
more than triple that of the non-treated, root-knot nematode inoculated control. Harvest data for the microplot trial with pepper paralleled that obtained for tomato and cucumber. That is, there was a significant increase in all growth parameters and in the cumulative and average fruit yields across harvest intervals following a single preplant application of Agri-Terra. As has been observed each year for the past four years with cotton, a single preplant treatment with Agri-Terra provided a significant growth response relative to the nematode inoculated control; greater even than the complete 'no nematode and no chemical' control. Highly significant reductions in reniform nematode populations also were observed. The only significant growth responses found at harvest in the rice microplot trial was an increase in root weight following the application of Agri-Terra. This material also produced a 92 percent reduction in the numbers of nematodes in soil. The three new compounds that were
included in these trials proved to have little, if any, ability to enhance either plant growth and yield or nematode control alone or in combination with Agri-Terra.
Impacts
Nematicides are the least desirable, but most frequently employed, method of managing plant parasitic nematodes. The most efficacious nematicides, such as methyl bromide, are harmful to the environment, and many will soon be unlawful to use. The development and registration of an environmentally friendly material for control of plant parasitic nematodes will be of great benefit to agriculture. Agri-Terra, a new material developed by Cal-Agri Products, LLC of Los Angeles, California, and tested in the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center over the past five years, appears to fit these efficacy and environmental criteria.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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