Project Number: 6602-13000-023-07
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2006
End Date: Dec 31, 2007

Objective:
To apply the Nematode Management Zone algorithm developed earlier in this project to evaluate the efficacy of field-scale variable rate nematicide treatments; and to develop a "risk index" that will reflect the likelihood of crop loss associated with increasing nematode densities in coarse textured soils.

Approach:
The study sites in 2007 will be three of the original farm sites used to develop the Nematode Management Zone (NMZ) algorithm. Management zones will be developed using a combination of remotely sensed and soil data to describe cotton root-knot nematode distributions. Four nematicides rates will be replicated three times in each management zone: Telone at 6 gpa; Telone at 3 gpa; temik at 6 lbs/acre; Temik at 3 lbs/acre. At each site, soil properties and nematode density will be determined on a 0.5 acre grid, with more intensive sampling in plot areas. Nematode assays, soil water content and plant heights will be recorded once at planting, twice during the growing season and just prior to harvest. At the same time, volatile organic acid samples will be collected from cotton plants using portable air pumps, and late desorbed into a GC/MS for identificatiton. Remotely sensed data will be provided by the SpectraView imaging system at a spatial resolution of one square meter.