Thesis
Cover cropping for control of Columbia root knot nematodes in short season potato production
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104988
Abstract
A study was conducted to identify cover crop options for controlling Columbia root knot nematodes in cool climates where potatoes are a mainstay of the crop rotation. The San Luis Valley of Colorado is offered here as a cool-climate test case location, focusing primarily on crops unfavorable to Columbia root knot nematode, a pest established in many potato growing regions of the United States. Sixty-three cultivars of Brassicas, cool-season grasses, warmseason grasses, legumes and summer annual forbs potentially adapted to growth in the San Luis Valley were tested for their capacity to host Columbia root knot nematode (Race 1), based on the cultivar's ability to increase, sustain, or diminish a known population of the pest. These tests were performed under controlled greenhouse conditions at a constant temperature of 21oC. Reproductive factors were calculated based on these data, and cultivars ranked by host status as excellent, good, poor, or non-hosts to this pest. Accompanying potential benefits to the overall farming systems, through implementation of more diversified cover cropping rotations suppressive of Columbia root knot nematodes, include: use of more water-use efficient cultivars and species in rotation; incorporation of legumes for fixation of nitrogen; stimulation of nutrient cycling and soil microbial community activity and diversity through increased root activity and root biomass additions. Information regarding root biomass development from each cultivar was gained in this study, and used as a co-factor in evaluating the potential of particular rotational crop cultivars to meet multiple management goals at one time, to grow crops that can both suppress Columbia root knot nematodes while increasing soil tilth. Brassica cultivars which look particularly promising for increased use are: radishes 'Doublet', 'Terranova', 'Anaconda', 'Biofum Summer', 'Cassius', and 'Graza'; Ethiopian cabbage 'Corrine'; Turnip x Kale hybrid 'Winfred'. Legumes of non-host or poor host status, and with good root development are: Yellow Sweet Clovers 'N-55', 'CZEC BDN 58-181', 'N-27', 'N-28', 'Yukon', 'Madrid', 'YBSC-TH Line', 'N-29', 'Erector', and 'Happy'; Alfalfa 'Bullseye'. Warm-season grasses of great interest are: Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids 'Sordan 79', 'Sweet Grazer Plus', and 'Xtra Graze'; Pearl Millets 'TiffLeaf3' and 'Elite II'.
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Details
- Title
- Cover cropping for control of Columbia root knot nematodes in short season potato production
- Creators
- Kelly Patrick Joseph O'Neill
- Contributors
- William L. Pan (Chair)Preston Keith Andrews (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Horticulture, Department ofDouglas Parker Collins (Committee Member) - Washington State University, WSU Extension ANRMark Joseph Pavek (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Horticulture, Department of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525301601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis