Evaluation of Cotton Cultivars in the Presence and Absence of Reniform Nematode and the Efficacy of Velum Total

In 2014, 333,000 bales were lost due to the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis. This represents 2.1% of total yield loss pertaining to diseases and is a 72% increase from 2013 where 193,900 bales were lost (Lawrence, et al 2014). The objective of this research was to determine the yield loss of cotton due to the reniform nematode.    Two different fields were used in this experiment. One, absent of reniform and the other with a known reniform infestation. The latter will amalgamate another parameter into the trial, the Velum Total (Imidacloprid + Fluopyram) nematicidal seed treatment. First, yield loss directly contributed to R. reniformis was evaluated by utilizing the two fields. R. reniformis reduced yield by an average of 39% across 10 different cultivars ranging from 26-45% reduction. Velum Total increased yield by an average of 5%, and reduced egg production per gram of root by an average of 67% across 10 cultivars.