Evaluation of Salibro As a New Nematicide for Cotton Production Systems

Salibro (Fluazaindolizine) was evaluated in vitro and in planta for its potential inhibitory effects on Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis egg hatch and subsequent reduction of nematode population density in cotton plants. In both in vitro and in planta tests, Salibro was applied at 1, 5, 50, and 250 ppm. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) in vitro test was conducted in 12-well tissue culture plates with four replicates and sterile water was added as the control. Nematode egg hatch and development was determined for one week. Greenhouse tests with DP 1558 NR B2RF were conducted as RCBD with eight replicates in cone-tainers. Salibro and 3,000 nematode eggs per 150 cm³ of soil were added at planting. Plant and nematode data were collected at 35 DAP. The test was repeated twice and the data were analyzed with SAS 9.4 using PROC GLIMMIX. The LS means were compared using Tukey-Kramer’s method (P≤0.05). The result of in vitro egg hatch assay indicated that Salibro at 250 ppm had a slight inhibitory effect on egg hatch over 168 hours of exposure unlike the other tested rates. All tested rates of Salibro on cotton had similar growth parameters (plant height, shoot fresh weight and root fresh weight); however, the nematode population density (number of nematode eggs per gram of root) of both M. incognita and R. reniformis were significantly reduced by the application of  5, 50, and 250 ppm of Salibro compared to water control. The results demonstrated that Salibro did not directly affect nematode egg hatch; however, concentrations of 5 ppm or higher significantly reduced nematode population density without altering plant growth parameters under greenhouse condition.