Abstracted from an article by Jim Langcuster, Alabama
Cooperative Extension Service
In a 10-acre field in southwest Alabama, serious
cotton yield reductions associated with reniform nematode damage were discovered
in 1987. The field has yielded valuable insights into the importance of rotating
cotton with peanuts and corn to reduce nematode infestations. “Peanuts, in
particular, are an ideal rotation crop,” Professor Gazaway observes — which is
“why producers are growing a lot more peanuts in southwest Alabama where the
problem is most severe.
But, growers want to limit their rotation into peanuts as much as possible to capitalize on cotton profitability. “Most cotton producers simply want to be in cotton as much as possible and would rather not rotate,” Gazaway says.
A major research focus is determining if cotton growers can use only a one-year rotation into peanuts, coupled with a judicious use of nematicides, such as Temik or Telone. Telone, despite its many advantages, has only limited application — an expensive product that is best suited to fields with unusually heavy nematode infestations. It also is unsuited to areas of the state where conservation-tillage is widely practiced, such as north Alabama. “Temik is a lot cheaper, not only because you get nematode control but because you also pick up early season insects,” Gazaway says.
In an effort to cut chemical costs, researchers are looking at ways to apply Temik more effectively. Recently, for example, Gazaway has revisited the practice of applying Temik as a banded treatment rather than into the seed furrow as is commonly done. “It may be that we get additional benefit putting it into the band and working it in through water,” Gazaway says. “The basic premise behind nematode control is that the wider the zone the better.”