Trends in the journal of nematology, 1969-2009: authors, States, nematodes, and subject matter.

Issues of the Journal of Nematology from 1969-2009 were examined to determine trends in authorship and subject matter. Data were collected on authors, affiliations, locations, funding, nematodes, and nematological subject matter, and then compared among the 4 decades involved. Some of the more prominent changes noted included: a decrease (P < 0.05) in the number of papers published in the Journal of Nematology in the 1990s and 2000s from a peak in the 1980s; an increase (P < 0.05) in number of authors per paper in each decade; an increased (P < 0.05) percentage of international authors in the 1990s and 2000s compared to 1970s; and changing roles of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and different states over a period of 4 decades. Plant-parasitic nematodes were the main organisms studied in 73.4% of all papers published the Journal of Nematology from 1969-2009. The greatest changes in subject matter were increases in papers on biological control and resistance in the 1990s and 2000s compared to the 1970s and 1980s. Additional trends and subjects are discussed, and data are provided comparing differences among the 4 decades for various aspects of nematology.

Comparison of Water Displacement and WinRHIZO Software for Plant Root Parameter Assessment.

Water-displacement and WinRHIZO root-scanning methods were compared for efficacy of root damage assessment. Results from both methods were similar and a highly significant relationship was found between the two methods in trial one (r2 = 0.9968, P < 0.0001) and trial two (r2 = 0.9988, P < 0.0001). Both protocols provide consistent root volume measurements; however, water displacement is preferred as an economical method if a quick evaluation of a large amount of roots is essential. For a more detailed root morphological and architectural analysis, WinRHIZO root scanning provides additional information about several root parameters that cannot be measured by simple water displacement.

Nectar-seeking and host-seeking by Larra bicolor (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), a parasitoid of Scapteriscus mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae).

Larra bicolor F. (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) is a specialist parasitoid of Scapteriscus (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) mole crickets, attacking adults and medium to large nymphs of the hosts. Adult wasps derive energy from plant nectars. In replicated trials in pastures in northern Florida, many more wasps fed on nectar of Spermacoce verticillata F. (Rubiaceae), a non-native plant, than on nectar of the native plants Spermacoce prostrata Aubl. or Spermacoce remota Lamarck. Few of them fed on the native plant Solidago fistulosa Michx. (Asteraceae). About as many fed on the native plant Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx) Greene as on S. verticillata in the autumn months until the native plant ceased flowering by October. In contrast, S. verticillata continues flowering until the first hard freeze, which typically occurs in December, so overall, it is a more reliable nectar source in northern Florida and may be still more reliable in frost-free areas of southern Florida where it may flower year-round. The number of immature wasps (eggs and larvae) parasitizing mole crickets was positively related to host density but also declined with distance from a plot of S. verticillata out to 200 m, based on samples of pitfall trap-collected mole crickets. The occurrence of parasitized mole crickets at a 200-m distance suggests that female wasps recruited to a plot of S. verticillata forage for hosts out to at least 200 m. This in turn suggests that mole cricket populations might be diminished by planting plots of S. verticillata at least 400 m apart when L. bicolor wasps are present.

Exposure Time to Lethal Temperatures for Meloidogyne incognita Suppression and Its Implication for Soil Solarization.

Meloidogyne incognita eggs or J2 were incubated in test tubes containing sand:peat mix and immersed in a water bath heated to 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 degrees C for a series of time intervals. Controls were maintained at 22 degrees C. Nematodes surviving or hatching were collected from Baermann trays after three weeks of incubation. Regression analyses between percent survival or egg hatch and hours of heat treatment were performed for each temperature. Complete suppression of egg hatch required 389.8, 164.5, 32.9, 19.7 and 13.1 hours at 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 degrees C, respectively. Complete killing of J2 required 47.9, 46.2, 17.5 and 13.8 hours at 39, 40, 41 and 42 degrees C, respectively. J2 were not completely killed at 38 degrees C within 40 hours of treatment, but were killed within one hour at 44 and 45 degrees C. Effect of temperature on nematode killing is not determined by heat units. Oscillating temperature between cool and warm did not interfere with the nematode suppressive effect by the heat treatment. Six-week solarization in the field during the summers of 2003 and 2004 in Florida accumulated heat exposure times in the top 15 cm of soil that surpassed levels required to kill M. incognita as determined in the water bath experiments. Although near zero M. incognita were detected right after solarization, the nematode population densities increased after a cycle of a susceptible pepper crop. Therefore, future research should address failure of solarization to kill nematodes in the deeper soil layers.

Saline Irrigation Affects Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus on Seashore Paspalum.

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) has great potential for use in salt-affected turfgrass sites. Use of this grass on golf courses, athletic fields, and lawns in subtropical coastal areas may aid in conservation of freshwater resources. Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus are considered among the most damaging root pathogens of turfgrasses in Florida. Glasshouse experiments were performed in 2002 and 2003 to examine the effects of increasing levels of irrigation salinity on B. longicaudatus and H. galeatus. Irrigation treatments were formulated by concentrating deionized water to six salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 dS/m). Final population densities of H. galeatus followed a negative linear regression (r(2) = 0.92 and 0.83; P <= 0.01) with increasing salinity levels. Final population densities of B. longicaudatus were quadratically (r(2) = 0.72 and 0.78; P <= 0.01) related to increasing salinity levels from 0 to 25 dS/m. An increase in population densities of B. longicaudatus was observed at moderate salinity levels (10 and 15 dS/m) compared to 0 dS/m. Root-length comparisons revealed that B. longicaudatus caused root stunting at low salinity levels, 0 to 10 dS/m, but roots were not affected at 15 to 25 dS/m. These results indicate that the ability of B. longicaudatus to feed and stunt root growth was negatively affected at salinity levels of 15 dS/m and above.

Effect of Crotalaria juncea Amendment on Squash Infected with Meloidogyne incognita.

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine the effect of Crotalaria juncea amendment on Meloidogyne incognita population levels and growth of yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo). In the first experiment, four soils with a long history of receiving yard waste compost (YWC+), no-yard-waste compost (YWC-), conventional tillage, or no-tillage treatments were used; in the second experiment, only one recently cultivated soil was used. Half of the amount of each soil received air-dried residues of C. juncea as amendment before planting squash, whereas the other half did not. Crotalaria juncea amendment increased squash shoot and root weights in all soils tested, except in YWC+ soil where the organic matter content was high without the amendment. The amendment suppressed the numbers of M. incognita if the inoculum level was low, and when the soil contained relatively abundant nematode-antagonistic fungi. Microwaved soil resulted in greater numbers of M. incognita and free-living nematodes than frozen or untreated soil, indicating nematode-antagonistic microorganisms played a role in nematode suppression. The effects of C. juncea amendment on nutrient cycling were complex. Amendment with C. juncea increased the abundance of free-living nematodes and Harposporium anguillulae, a fungus antagonistic to them in the second experiment but not in the first experiment. Soil histories, especially long-term yard waste compost treatments that increased soil organic matter, can affect the performance of C. juncea amendment.

Host Status of 'SeaIsle 1' Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) to Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus.

Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus are considered among the most damaging pathogens of turfgrasses in Florida. However, the host status of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) is unknown. Glasshouse experiments were performed in 2002 and 2003 to determine the tolerance of 'SeaIsle 1' seashore paspalum to a population of B. longicaudatus and a population of H. galeatus, and to compare to 'Tifdwarf' bermudagrass for differences. Both nematode species reproduced well on either grass, but only B. longicaudatus consistently reduced root growth as measured by root length. Belonolaimus longicaudatus reduced root growth (P

Effect of winter cover crops on nematode population levels in north Florida.

Two experiments were conducted in north-central Florida to examine the effects of various winter cover crops on plant-parasitic nematode populations through time. In the first experiment, six winter cover crops were rotated with summer corn (Zea mays), arranged in a randomized complete block design. The cover crops evaluated were wheat (Triticum aestivum), rye (Secale cereale), oat (Avena sativa), lupine (Lupinus angustifolius), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). At the end of the corn crop in year 1, population densities of Meloidogyne incognita were lowest on corn following rye or oat (P

Effect of Crotalaria juncea Amendment on Nematode Communities in Soil with Different Agricultural Histories.

Effect of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) hay amendment on nematode community structure in the soil surrounding roots of yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) infected with root-knot nematodes was examined in two greenhouse experiments. Soils were from field plots treated long-term (LT) with yard-waste compost or no yard-waste compost in LT experiment, and from a short-term (ST) agricultural site in ST experiment. Soils collected were either amended or not amended with C. juncea hay. Nematode communities were examined 2 months after squash was inoculated with Meloidogyne incognita. Amendment increased (P < 0.05) omnivorous nematodes in both experiments but increased only bacterivorous nematodes in ST experiment (P < 0.05), where the soil had relatively low organic matter (<2%). This effect of C. juncea amendment did not occur in LT experiment, in which bacterivores were already abundant. Fungivorous nematodes were not increased by C. juncea amendment in either experiment, but predatory nematodes were increased when present. Although most nematode faunal indices, including enrichment index, structure index, and channel index, were not affected by C. juncea amendment, structure index values were affected by previous soil organic matter content. Results illustrate the importance of considering soil history (organic matter, nutrient level, free-living nematode number) in anticipating changes following amendment with C. juncea hay.

Effects of Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata) Ground Cover on Nematode Communities in Citrus.

The effects of perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) ground cover on the nematode community in a citrus orchard were examined. Samples were taken from two different ground cover treatments (perennial peanut or bare ground) at each of three distances from the tree trunk. Richness, measured as total numbers of nematode genera per sample, and total numbers of nematodes were greatest in the perennial peanut treatment (P < 0.05). Abundance of many genera of bacterivores, fungivores, and omnivores were increased by the perennial peanut ground cover. Total numbers of plant parasites were greater in perennial peanut treatments on three of the five sampling dates (P < 0.05), mainly due to trends in numbers of Mesocriconema. Distance from a tree trunk and the interaction of ground cover treatments and proximity to a tree trunk were most influential for Belonolaimus and Hoplolaimus. Although differences among treatments were observed for nematode genera and trophic groups, ecological indices were not consistently sensitive to treatments. Among several ecological indices evaluated, richness was most often affected by ground cover treatment.

Reduction of Landscape Pathogens in Florida by Soil Solarization.

Two experiments were conducted during autumn 1997 and 1998 in west-central Florida to evaluate the effectiveness of soil solarization alone and in combination with the biological control agents Streptomyces lydicus (Actinovate) and Pseudomonas chlororaphis (syn. P. aureofasciens, AtEze) and the reduced-risk fungicide fludioxonil (Medallion) in managing soilborne pathogens of impatiens (Impatiens × wallerana, 'Accent Burgundy'). Naturally infested soil was solarized for 47 or 48 days during September and October using two layers of 25-µm clear, low-density polyethylene mulch, separated by an air space of up to 7.5 cm. Solarization decreased the final incidence and progress of Rhizoctonia crown rot and blight, incidence of Pythium spp. in roots, and root discoloration, and increased shoot biomass in both experiments. The technique also consistently reduced root-knot severity and population densities of Meloidogyne incognita, Dolichodorus heterocephalus, Paratrichodorus minor, and Criconemella spp. The incidence of Rhizoctonia crown rot and blight was reduced by fludioxonil, but not by the biological control agents.

Effect of sorghum-sudangrass and velvetbean cover crops on plant-parasitic nematodes associated with potato production in Florida.

In a 3-year field study, population densities of Belonolaimus longicaudatus and other plant-parasitic nematodes and crop yields were compared between potato (Solanum tuberosum) cropping systems where either sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. arundinaceum) or velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens) was grown as a summer cover crop. Population densities of B. longicaudatus, Paratrichodorus minor, Tylenchorhynchus sp., and Mesocriconema sp. increased on sorghum-sudangrass. Population densities of P. minor and Mesocriconema sp. increased on velvetbean. Sorghum-sudangrass increased population densities of B. longicaudatus and Mesocriconema sp. on a subsequent potato crop compared to velvetbean. Potato yields following velvetbean were not greater than following sorghum-sudangrass despite reductions in population densities of B. longicaudatus.

Effect of silver reflective mulch and a summer squash trap crop on densities of immature Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on organic bean.

Polyethylene mulch with a reflective silver stripe and a yellow summer squash, Cucurbita pepo L., trap crop were tested alone and in combination as tactics to reduce densities of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring eggs and nymphs, and incidence of bean golden mosaic geminivirus on snap bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Egg densities were consistently higher on squash than on bean, but egg densities and virus incidence were not lower on bean grown with squash than on bean grown in monoculture. Silver reflective mulch reduced egg densities compared with bean grown on bare ground during the first week after crop emergence for 2 of the 3 yr that the study was conducted. However, egg suppression by silver mulch was not enhanced by the presence of a squash trap crop when both tactics were combined. The obstacles to suppressing B. argentifolii through the use of trap crops are discussed.

Reduction of Phytophthora Blight of Madagascar Periwinkle in Florida by Soil Solarization in Autumn.

Three field experiments were conducted in southwest and west-central Florida in 1993 through 1995 to evaluate the effectiveness of soil solarization during autumn in reducing Phytophthora blight of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) caused by Phytophthora nicotianae. Plots (3.6 by 3.6 m) were infested by incorporating winter wheat seed containing P. nicotianae in the upper 15 cm of soil. Solarization was then conducted for 21 to 41 days, primarily during October, using clear, 25- or 50-µm low-density polyethylene mulch. The progress of Phytophthora blight, monitored for 31 to 42 days following planting, was significantly reduced by solarization in all experiments, and final blight incidence was reduced in two of three experiments. Solarization also reduced population densities of P. nicotianae.

Yield Reduction and Root Damage to Cotton Induced by Belonolaimus longicaudatus.

Sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) is recognized as a pathogen of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), but the expected damage from a given population density of this nematode has not been determined. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of increasing initial population densities (Pi) of B. longicaudatus on cotton yield and root mass. In a field plot study, nematicide application and cropping history were used to obtain a wide range of Pi values. Cotton yields were regressed on Pi density of B. longicaudatus to quantify yield losses in the field. In controlled environmental chambers, cotton was grown in soil infested with increasing Pi's of B. longicaudatus. After 40 days, root systems were collected, scanned on a desktop scanner, and root lengths were measured. Root lengths were regressed on inoculation density of B. longicaudatus to quantify reductions in the root systems. In the field, high Pi's (>100 nematodes/130 cm(3) of soil) reduced yields to near zero. In controlled environmental chamber studies, as few as 10 B. longicaudatus/130 cm(3) of soil caused a 39% reduction in fine cotton roots, and 60 B. longicaudatus/130 cm(3) of soil caused a 70% reduction. These results suggest that B. longicaudatus can cause significant damage to cotton at low population densities, whereas at higher densities crop failure can result.

Population Dynamics of Belonolaimus longicaudatusin a Cotton Production System.

Belonolaimus longicaudatus is a recognized pathogen of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), but insufficient information is available on the population dynamics and economic thresholds of B. longicaudatus in cotton production. In this study, data collected from a field in Florida were used to develop models predicting population increases of B. longicaudatus on cotton and population declines under clean fallow. Population densities of B. longicaudatus increased on cotton, reaching a carrying capacity of 139 nematodes/130 cm(3) of soil, but decreased exponentially during periods of bare fallow. The model indicated that population densities should decrease each year of monocropped cotton, if an alternate host is not present between sequential cotton crops. Economic thresholds derived from published damage functions and current prices for cotton and nematicides varied from 2 to 5 B. longicaudatus/130 cm(3) of soil, depending on the nematicide used.

Damage Function and Economic Threshold for Belonolaimus longicaudatus on Potato.

Belonolaimus longicaudatus has long been recognized as a pathogen of potato (Solanum tuberosum). However, a damage function relating expected yield of potato to population densities of B. longicaudatus at planting has not been derived, and the economic threshold for nematicide application is unknown. The objectives of this study were to derive the damage function of B. longicaudatus on potato and to calculate the economic threshold population density. The damage function data for B. longicaudatus on potato were obtained from an ongoing field study to evaluate cropping systems and nematode management practices. Soil samples were collected from experimental field plots, and nematodes were extracted from a 130-cm(3) subsample with a centrifugal-flotation method. A damage function was derived by linear regression of potato yield on nematode population density at planting. Based on this derived damage function and published potato prices, the economic threshold for nematicide application was calculated at 2 to 3 B. longicaudatus/130 cm(3) of soil, which was near the detection threshold based on methodology used in this study.

Niche Distribution of Paratrichodorus minor and Belonolaimus longicaudatus Following Fumigation on Potato and Cabbage.

An experiment was conducted to determine population changes and niche variation in the soil at two depths (0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm) of Paratrichodorus minor and Belonolaimus longicaudatus populations following fumigation. Eight plots each of potato (Solanum tuberosum) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), fumigated with 1, 3-dichloropropene or nonfumigated, were established. Eight plots of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor x S. arundinaceum var. sudanense) were also used to monitor depth distribution (0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm) of B. longicaudatus and P. minor following each cabbage/potato season. Soil samples were taken 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm deep during the potato/cabbage, and sorghum-sudangrass growing seasons. During the 1993-94 and 1994-95 potato/cabbage seasons, P. minor was found at highest numbers at 20 to 40 cm, whereas numbers of B. longicaudatus were highest at 0 to 20 cm. During the 1994 and 1995 sorghum-sudangrass growing seasons, B. longicaudatus numbers were highest at 0 to 20 cm. Paratrichodorus minor numbers were highest at 0 to 20 cm and at 20 to 40 cm deep in the 1994 and 1995 sorghum-sudangrass growing seasons, respectively. Reduction by soil fumigation of B. longicaudatus at 0 to 20 cm deep did not affect depth distribution or cause P. minor populations to increase in potato or cabbage plots. Paratrichodorus minor numbers increased at 20 to 40 cm deep in the 1994-95 cabbage season after soil fumigation.

Effects of solarization and ammonium amendments on plant-parasitic nematodes.

The effects of soil solarization and ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium sulfate against plant-parasitic nematodes on yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) and on vinca (Catharanthus roseus) were evaluated at two sites. Solarization for 3 weeks in the spring suppressed population levels of Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Criconemella spp., and Dolichodorus heterocephalus throughout the growing season on both crops at both sites. Levels of Meloidogyne incognita were suppressed initially, but population densities increased by the end of the crop in several cases. In one site, numbers of Paratrichodorus minor resurged following solarization to levels that were greater than those present in unsolarized control plots. The effect of solarization was not enhanced by combination with ammonium amendments, but, in one site, application of ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium sulfate resulted in lower numbers of B. longicaudatus than in the unamended control. Additional research and improved efficacy of candidate amendments are required before they can be successfully integrated with solarization for nematode management. Efficacy of solarization against plant-parasitic nematodes was achieved despite a relatively short (3 weeks) solarization period.

Nematode Population Fluctuations during Decomposition of Specific Organic Amendments.

Population densities of nematodes in field soil without plants were monitored for 10 months following application of organic amendments to pots in a greenhouse. The four treatments consisted of three different kinds of organic amendments: homogeneous crop residues of maize (Zea mays, C:N = 48.0:1), Texas panicum (Panicum texanum, C:N = 32.9:1), or velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens, C:N = 18.6:1), plus a control without any amendment. Plant-parasitic nematodes declined in all treatments due to absence of a food source. Bacterivore numbers increased following amendment application and remained greater than initial population levels until 4 months after application. Fungivore numbers were higher than initial levels until 6 months after amendment application and did not decline below the initial numbers during the course of the experiment. On several sampling dates, the bacterivorous genera Cervidellus and Eucephalobus were most abundant in pots with maize residues. Among the fungivores, Aphelenchoides numbers early in the experiment were greatest in pots amended with velvetbean, whereas numbers of Aphelenchus, Nothotylenchus, and Tylenchidae (mainly Filenchus) were greatest during the latter half of the experiment following the maize amendment. Omnivorous nematodes, particularly Eudorylaimus, showed two peaks in abundance during the course of the experiment. Results provided some evidence that population levels of some genera of bacterivores and fungivores may be affected by specific organic amendments.