Southern rootknot nematode has historically been an issue for Colquitt County cotton growers. According to UGA Plant Pathology, southern root knot nematode is the most plant parasitic nematode affecting cotton in Georgia. It is estimated that over 70% of the Georgia cotton acreage is infested with this pest.
A field trial was intiated at the Packer Park Farm in Moultrie, Ga to evaluate the potential of nematode resistant varieties and their effect on yield. Treatments in this field trial included Stoneville 5600 B2XF, DP 1747 NR B2XF, Phytogen 480 W3FE and DP 1646 B2XF with and without 5 lbs of AgLogic. This field trial was planted on May 23, 2019 and consisted of 4 row plots that ran the length of the field. Each treatment was replicated four times.
The plots were harvested with a four row cotton picker and weighed with industry boll buggy on November 6, 2019. The yield results are reported below. Plot results show the performance of the nematode resistant varieties (ST 5600, DP 1747 and PHY 480) compared to DP 1646. There was a 100 lb yield increase when AgLogic was applied with DP 1646 compared to DP 1646 without Ag Logic.
Nematode samples were taken after harvest and they are reported below. Southern root knot nematode levels were significantly lower in the plots containing the nematode resistant varieties.
This research plot could not have been possible without the help of Mr. Gene Hart, Colquitt County FFA advisor, Phytogen, Bayer Crop Science, BASF and Dr. Bob Kemerait, UGA Plant Pathologist.