Evaluation of Telone II® Soil Fumigant and Two Nematode Resistant Cotton Varieties in Louisiana

Evaluation of Telone II® Soil Fumigant and Two Nematode Resistant Cotton Varieties in Louisiana D. Burns (1), E. Burris (2), C. Overstreet, and R. Haygood (4) (1) LSU Ag Center, St. Joseph, LA, (2) Gene Burris Consulting, St. Joseph, LA, (3) LSU Ag Center, Baton Rouge, LA, and (4) Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN. The site specific application of Telone II® soil fumigant for control of nematodes in cotton production has been shown to be a cost effective practice in Louisiana. Root-knot nematodes are confined to sandier soils while reniform nematodes can live in soils with higher clay content. The location in the field and the species of nematodes present can be obtained from a routine soil sample. Crop rotation with corn for one to two years can help lower reniform nematode populations to manageable levels, but in the case of root-knot nematodes, corn serves as a host crop. The advances in cotton breeding programs have produced varieties that have various levels of nematode resistance. This trial focused on the use of Telone II in combination with two nematode resistant cotton varieties and a non-resistant variety. Nematode samples for identification and population were taken along with NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) readings, and harvest results.