TABLE CONTENTS

SESSION THIRTY-SEVEN – PRECISION AGRICULTURE,
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND NEMATODE CONTROL
CONVENORS: TERRENCE KIRKPATRICK & CHARLES OVERSTREET
The Need for More Efficient Management of Nematodes in Cotton
Kirkpatrick, T.L.
University of Arkansas Southwest Research and Extension Center, 362 Highway 174 North, Hope, Arkansas
71801 USA
Cotton is the most important natural fiber, representing almost 40% of the world fibre market.
The crop is grown in over 100 countries, with China, the USA, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and
Egypt accounting for about three-fourths of the world output. Cotton yield per hectare has
tripled since the mid-1940s, due to high yield potential and improved pest resistance in
modern cultivars. Genetic engineering has recently yielded insect and herbicide-resistant
cultivars that allow more efficient insect and weed control, but similar improvements have
not been made with regard to plant-parasitic nematode management. The root-knot
nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is the most widespread economic nematode of cotton, and
has been reported on cotton in most world production areas. In addition to root-knot
nematodes, Rotylelnchus reniformis, Hoplolaimus spp., Belonolaimus longicaudatus, and
Pratylenchus spp. are significant pathogens of cotton in many parts of the world. Nematode
management in cotton can be difficult because of the absence of effective resistant cultivars,
the impracticability of crop rotation, and the difficulty of detection and quantification of
nematode problems. Although nematode populations are rarely uniformly distributed within
fields, current strategies for nematicide use involve whole-field applications prior to or at the
time of planting. Unfortunately, nematicides that are used in cotton are either only
marginally effective, or they are expensive and pose certain environmental and health risks.
In the face of expanding nematode problems in many regions and declining profit margins,
more efficient and environmentally appropriate strategies for nematicide application will be
vital.
5 th International Congress of Nematology, 2008 134