Two Options for Limiting Yield Losses Due to Reniform Nematode: Introgressed Resistance and the Application of Velum® Total

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) (RN) is a factor limiting cotton yields. Crop rotation and nematicide are presently effective management tools for growers. No effective resistance/tolerance to RN is currently observed in commercial cultivars. A decade long concerted effort, spearheaded by USDA and Cotton Incorporated, has allowed breeders in Texas and Mississippi to release several RN resistant Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) germplasm lines, including LONREN, BARBREN and M713. In our study, RN resistant germplasm line M713 Ren4 was crossed with conventional cultivar UA103. Selected breeding lines of this cross were planted under RN-free and RN-infested conditions both in the field and on microplots, with genotype being the main treatment and the nematicide Velum^® Total as the sub treatment. After a brief review of the different RN resistant germplasm lines, first year results of the 2017 trials will be presented.