Evaluation of New Commercial Cotton Cultivars for Fusarium Wilt and Root-Knot Nematode Resistance for 2013

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.  vasinfectum (FOV) is the causal agent of the fungal disease Fusarium wilt in cotton.  Objectives of this study are to 1) Observe commercial variety responses to Fusarium wilt and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) and compare to yield and 2) Identify races of FOV present at the site of the Commercial Fusarium Wilt Trial. The projected outcome of these experiments is to be able to more effectively control the Fusarium wilt root-knot nematode disease complex in the southeastern United States with resistant varieties being the main control measures.  Results showed three varieties having statistically higher yields than the susceptible check Rowden: FiberMax 1944 GLB2, Phytogen 339 WRF, and Phytogen 499 WRF.  Ten of the twelve varieties tested had statistically lower wilt percentages than the susceptible check Rowden: Croplan Genetics 3787 B2RF, Deltapine 1137 B2RF, Deltapine 12R242B2R2, Deltapine 1321 B2RF, FiberMax1944 GLB2, Phytogen 339 WRF, Phytogen 375 WRF, Phytogen 499 WRF, Stoneville 4946 GLB2, and Stoneville 6448 GLB2.  Two varieties had similar root-knot reproduction factors as the resistant check M-315: Deltapine 12R242B2R2 and FiberMax 1944 GLB2.