Management of Reniform Nematode in Cotton Using Winter Crop Residue Amendments Under Greenhouse Conditions

Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform nematode, RN) is among the most important nematodes affecting cotton. Cultural practices, such as rotation and soil amendment, are established methods for managing RN. Management may be enhanced if crop residue has biofumigant properties against RN. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of winter crop amendments for managing RN in the greenhouse. Reniform nematode-infested soil was amended with dry or fresh organic matter (OM, 2% w/w) from winter crops – canola, carinata, hairy vetch, oat, or no crop. Cotton was subsequently grown in this soil. Independent of the crop, dry OM amendments were more effective than no amendment at managing RN, while fresh OM amendments were not. Soil and root RN abundances and reproduction factors were generally lower in Trials 1 and 3 for dry OM than fresh OM amendments or control without OM. In Trial 2, none of the OM treatments reduced RN parameters compared with no OM control. In general, when compared to plants without RN or OM, RN did not produce significant changes in growth parameters but did affect physiology (Soil Plant Analysis Development, or SPAD, values). In conclusion, dry OM amendments can help manage RN, crop growth does not always relate to RN abundances, and SPAD values could help indicate RN presence.