Project Number: 6618-22000-029-08
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2003
End Date: Jan 01, 2008

Objective:
Our long-term objectives are to improve the performance of sustainable practices for pest management and to integrate these with ecologically sustainable agronomic practices for crop production. This requires new information and an improved understanding of the interactions of pest management practices (e.g. against nematodes and plant pathogens) and methods for managing crop fertility (e.g. nitrogen management, maintenance of soil water, soil structure).

Approach:
Field experiments will be conducted at various Florida sites, all of which are characterized by sandy soil (>92% sand), low soil organic matter (>2%), and low natural fertility. Although a variety of nematodes occur in these sites, management efforts will be directed primarily against M. incognita, a key nematode pest of many vegetable and ornamental crops. Several leguminous cover crops suppressive to M. incognita have been identified. Of these, 'Iron Clay' cowpea is adaptable to most of the various test locations involved, but sunn hemp will be used in some locations as well. Research is cross-commodity, and so a variety of vegetable, ornamental, and herb crops will be used in the experiments. All are susceptible to M. incognita and have a high demand for nitrogen fertilizer. Data will be collected on a variety of paramenters in the field studies, including nematode population density, nematode community structure, disease incidence and severity, root damage (nematode galling and disease rating), crop yield, weed density, nutrient levels in crops and soil, soil organic matter, and soil water-holding capacity.

Project Team

Burelle, Nancy

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

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