Variation in Bacteria and Nematode Communities Associated with Rotylenchulus reniformis Development on Cotton in Alabama

Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford & Oliveira), the reniform nematode, is the primary economic nematode pathogen in cotton production and became the most common plant-parasitic nematode on soybean in Alabama. The objective of this project is to investigate the interaction of R. reniformis, bacteria and nematode communities at planting and harvest seasons under field conditions. Eight soils samples at planting and harvest were collected from R. reniformis infested and non-infested cotton fields in central (E.V. Smith Research Center, Shorter) and north (Tennessee Valley Research Center, Belle Mina) Alabama. Vermiform nematodes were extracted and recorded from each soil sample by trophic level. DNA was extracted from the soil and genome sequencing is ongoing by Genomic Services Lab at HudsonAlpha. Preliminary results will be discussed.