A total of 13 intensive hands-on training workshops are being held throughout the NE-Region to educate and train the county educators, regional specialists, crop consultants, IPM practitioners, interested growers and other ag service providers who interact most closely with the vegetable and small fruit producers in the region, in diagnosing nematode damage, conducting and interpreting bioassays for visual nematode infestation assessment and understanding integrated nematode management options. The topics covered include: nematode biology and ecology; signs and symptoms of nematode damage in the field and on specific agronomic crops; soil nematode infestation assessment (focusing on on-farm methods); and available management options and managing nematodes on an as-needed basis. Participants receive a binder full of hardcopy resources as well as a CD-Rom containing workshop PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets and bioassay protocols. A soil sampling/bioassay kit is also provided. Training the trainers will facilitate the dissemination of information regarding nematode diagnosis, assessment and management further making it possible for growers to manage nematode problems on an as-needed basis and to design a whole-farm nematode management plan.

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause significant yield losses on numerous agronomic crops, including vegetables grown in New York State and the NE-Region. Above-ground symptoms of nematode damage are not diagnostic and are typically characterized as irregular patches of stunted or less vigorous plants. Below ground, only the root-knot nematode causes characteristic galls that can be easily observed on roots of some infected plants. Growers depend largely on the use of chemical nematicides for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes. Fumigant nematicides such as Telone-C 17 and Vapam are applied pre-planting, whereas non-fumigant-type nematicides such as Vydate are applied at planting. Crop rotation, various soil amendments and bio-fumigation crops have also been used on a limited basis. Knowledge of nematode densities in target fields is critical for deciding on the need for control. Collecting and submitting soil samples for nematode analysis by public or private laboratories is possible, however it can be costly ($25-40 or more/sample) and time consuming. Thus, there is a need for conducting on-farm nematode infestation assessment in order to promote cost-effective nematode control by managing them on an as-needed basis whether using chemical or non-chemical approaches. Also, the use of management practices such as crop rotation, bio-fumigant green manures, and others will promote the development of whole-farm IPM programs and encourage more sustainable nematode management.

We have shown through extensive surveys that the root-knot (Meloidogyne hapla) and lesion (Pratylenchus penetrans) nematodes are the major plant-parasitic nematodes prevalent and damaging to many of the agronomic crops grown in New York, including onions, carrots, potatoes, beans and others. We have developed and validated visual, on-farm soil bioassays with lettuce and soybean to assess the soil infestations levels of the root-knot and lesion nematodes, respectively. In addition, we have demonstrated the cost effectiveness of controlling these nematodes when present at damaging populations with chemical nematicides, crop rotation, cover crops, bio-fumigant green manures, and other practices. In collaboration with colleagues in CT and VT and with a special financial support from the NE-SARE professional development program, we are now conducting 13 workshops to train extension educators and other agriculture service providers in the needed protocols for assessing nematode infestations and then the appropriate management practices for reducing their losses. In exchange for the training, we do expect that the trained participants will incorporate the knowledge gained from the workshop into their outreach programs and work with the producers to effectively manage nematodes on an as-needed basis.

Our research and outreach activities including these workshops are continuing to increase the knowledge of agricultural service providers and growers in diagnosing nematode damage on agronomic crops, the appropriate protocols for soil sampling and conducting on-farm nematode infestation assessments and the available management options. These efforts are contributing to the cost-effective management of plant-parasitic nematodes on an as-needed basis. Such an approach will reduce chemical nematicides applications; promote IPM and ecological nematode management strategies thus resulting in improved farm profitability and environmental quality.

Management of plant-parasitic nematodes