ABSTRACT

The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is currently a management obstacle to cotton production in many regions of the country. The identification of varieties that have defined levels of tolerance would be a cost effective management tool to cotton producers. Selected cotton varieties were evaluated in four tests at three different locations in producers fields naturally infested with the reniform nematode. Varieties were evaluated in a conventionally tilled, monocultured cotton field in Limestone Co., AL; a no-till, cotton field in Lawrence Co., AL; a no-till, annual corn cotton rotation field in Lawrence Co; and a conventionally tilled, monocultured cotton field in Escambia Co., AL. Evaluations were repeated over the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. In all of the field trials, cotton variety parameters evaluated consisted of seed cotton yields and reniform nematode populations at planting, mid season, and harvest. Reniform nematode reproduction potential was determined in greenhouse trails, which indicated all of the commercial varieties tested are susceptible to the reniform nematode. Field trials indicated that varieties, with early season vigor, produced higher yields in the field trails naturally infested with the reniform nematode.