Nematicide Enhancements of Reniform Resistant Cotton Genotypes

In 2012 two field trials were conducted at the Tennessee Valley Research and Experiment Center located near Belle Mina, AL to evaluate nematicide enhancements of reniform resistant genotypes. In previous studies the LONREN derived resistant genotypes used in these field trials displayed severe stunting and reduced plant growth when introduced to high populations of reniform nematodes. The germplasm GB713 was also added to these trials to include another source of resistance and evaluate the response this genetic material has to nematicides. The hypothesis of this study was that applying nematicides will reduce nematode pressure in the seedling stage and allow the LONREN derived resistant lines to reach a point where they can withstand the damage caused by the nematodes. A reduction of reniform populations occurred in all resistant lines treated with nematicides at 36 days after planting. Less stunting of LONREN derived genotypes was evident when plant heights were taken at 45, 66 and 79 days after planting (DAP), when comparing the nematicide treatments to the untreated control. Seed cotton yields will be analyzed after the plots are harvested in late October.