TABLE CONTENTS

Creating Awareness of Nematodes is One of the Biggest Challenges in
Rural South Africa
Daneel, M.S., G. Tefu & M.C. Khoza
ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
Surveys conducted on vegetables in the rural areas of the eastern and northern parts of South
Africa indicated serious problems with nematodes, especially Meloidogyne spp.. Nematode
numbers were as high as 64000 Meloidogyne larvae per 30g roots of tomatoes. These
numbers not only caused yield declines, but in several instances fields were abandoned due to
complete crop failures. Since nematodes can be controlled effectively, the biggest challenge
is to create awareness of nematodes and to provide the farmers with a viable control strategy.
While part of the project was to investigate affordable, easily available and effective control
measures, an equally important part was to create awareness among rural farmers. Extension
officers in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces were trained during workshops, on the
importance of nematodes and effective control measures. In collaboration with extension
officers, sites were selected where demonstration trials were planted to show the effect of
different Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in controlling nematodes and the
effect on yield. Farmers were involved in planting and applying all the treatments and were
informed on nematodes. Clinics were identified and vegetable gardens were planted. Regular
study groups were organized during which participants were trained in vegetable gardening
and nematodes. Primary schools were identified in both provinces and vegetable gardens
were established with the help of senior pupils. At the same time, pupils were educated in
vegetable gardening, including nematodes and affordable control strategies available in rural
areas. The project continues.
Journal of Nematology
Schaffer, R. & D. M. Bird
The Journal of Nematology (JON) is the official publication of the Society of Nematologists
(SON) and publishes original papers on all aspects of basic, applied, descriptive, theoretical
and experimental nematology. As the premier nematology publication, JON is indexed by the
US Library of Medicine and papers are fully and freely accessible at the time of publication
from PubMed (www.pubmed.gov). Reflective of its stature as an international journal,
submissions are received from many countries, which in 2007 included Belgium, Brazil,
Canada, China, France, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand,
Pakistan, Romania, Spain, Turkey and USA. More than 70% of these manuscripts were
published in the 2007 edition of JON. Manuscripts submitted to JON are rapidly processed,
with most acceptance/rejection decisions being communicated to the authors in 10 weeks or
less. To further enhance JON as a tool for the nematology community at large, the JON Style
Guide (http://www.pngg.org/jon_style/) is available on the web with detailed information for
authors, reviewers and editors. In this poster, we present the salient features of the new,
updated JON on-line Style Guide and highlight key journal processes.
5 th International Congress of Nematology, 2008 337