Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic soilborne roundworms that impact crop production by feeding on plant roots. Several genera of plant-parasitic nematode are yield limiting in soybean, including Southern root-knot (Meloidogyne incognita), stubby-root (Tylenchus spp.), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), sting (Belonolaimus spp.), and lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.). In the short term, identifying nematicide options that are most effective in reducing nematode damage and protecting soybean profitability in North Carolina is imperative. Biological nematicides are popular for the environmental and economic sustainability, and additional data on their efficacy will support informed decision making on the farm. Further, “alternative products” (defined here at non-chemical products that are not be traditionally thought of as a nematicide, but may possess nematicide properties) are understudied and their utility in managing our more difficult-to-manage nematodes remains unknown. The overarching goal of this project is to add to our knowledge of applied nematode management under field conditions using a variety of products. The specific objectives of this project are to 1) evaluate the efficacy of certain biological and alternative nematicide products in managing sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) and guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in soybean production, and 2) Develop extension and outreach materials, including developing an expanded factsheet on sting nematode in soybean.

1.) Evaluate the efficacy of certain biological and alternative nematicide products in managing sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) and the guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) in soybean production
2.) Develop extension and outreach materials, including developing an expanded factsheet on sting nematode in soybean.

Results of these field trials and samplings will be summarized in management recommendations, factsheets, and Extension presentations to be shared with stakeholders and to the NC State Extension portal and to the Plant Nematology Lab website maintained by Dr. Adrienne Gorny and her lab members. Presentations regarding the results will be delivered to growers at regional and local soybean production meetings.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic soilborne roundworms that impact crop production by feeding on plant roots. Feeding damage caused by plant-parasitic nematode compromises water and nutrient uptake by the roots, and may thus impact yield. Nematodes pose a major threat to North Carolina soybean production, due to the costs of controls, local crop rotations favoring their reproduction, suitability of the climate to allow for multiple generations per season, and the prevalence of soil types in the state that favor nematode infection. Although host resistance is the most effective and economical nematode control for soybean producers, this tactic does not work for all nematode pathogens. For example, the guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) is known to overcome root-knot nematode resistance previously deployed resistance genes (Ye et al. 2015), and development of new resistant varieties frequently takes many years. For other nematodes such as sting nematode, no known host resistance has been identified.

In the short term, identifying nematicide options that are most effective in reducing nematode damage and protecting soybean profitability in North Carolina is imperative. Biological nematicides are popular for the environmental and economic sustainability, and additional data on their efficacy will support informed decision making on the farm. Further, “alternative products” (defined here at non-chemical products that are not be traditionally thought of as a nematicide, but may possess nematicide properties) are understudied and their utility in managing our more difficult-to-manage nematodes remains unknown. The knowledge and information gained in this project will support informed decision making by growers when selecting nematicides and alternative products for use in soybean production.