Methodology

• Nematodes were collected from every plot in vegetable production at the end of each rotation (4 times per year; 6 reps per plot) for the duration of the experiment.
• Our laboratories assayed for fourteen species common in Florida.
• Data was analyzed as a function of tillage treatment and years in bahiagrass.
• Future analyses will examine interaction of nematodes with other aspects of the study including yields, soil quality and weed species.

Results

• Eight nematode species were detected in this study.
• The most abundant species were;
  • Meloidogyne (Root-Knot) nematodes
  • Helicotylenchus (Spiral) nematodes
  • Mesocriconema (Ring) nematodes
  • Rotylenchulus (reniform) nematodes.
• No tillage effects were found.
• Years in bahiagrass often had effects on abundant species.

The most consistent results were the suppression of Root-Knot nematodes with years in bahiagrass pretreatment.   Analyses suggests that two years of bahiagrass may result in long-lasting suppression of Root-Knot nematodes.