Project Number: 6618-22000-036-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2008

Objective:
To assess the effects of a variety of vegetable crop production practices on soil microbial and nematode populations and to define the benefits of integrating sustainable practices and compatible chemicals for effective control of important pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes in vegetable production systems.

Approach:
Field research will be conducted in commercial growers' sites in central Alabama and southeastern Florida. Treatments will include standard grower practices as well as alternative practices that are compatible with current production systems, such as cover crops. Plots will then be planted with susceptible vegetables and additional soil samples for nematode evaluation will be collected at planting and harvest of the vegetable crop.