![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
In Canada, root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans Cobb) (RLN) is a major soil pest in many crops. Crop damage is reduced by controlling the RLN populations below economic threshold level by soil fumigation, rotation with non-susceptible crops and growing RLN-re-sistant varieties. Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada has developed a forage pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) variety “CFPM 101” (Canadian Forage Pearl Millet 101) adapted to Eastern Canadian growing conditions. On-farm crop rotation trials with CFPM 101 and corn (Zea mays) were conducted in commercial potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) fields in Ontario. In the following year, potato was grown. RLN populations were monitored three times (Spring, Summer, and Fall 2000) during the rotation crop and two times (Spring and Summer 2001) during RLN susceptible potato crop. Rotation crop, season, and crop Xyear interaction significantly affected the RLN levels. Soil RLN population did not change in rotation year 2000 and susceptible (potato) year 2001 with CFPM 101, whereas corn increased it over 200 to 700% after one year of rotation, suggesting the traditional potato.corn.potato rotation increases RLN populations. Results confirm that crop rotation with CFPM 101 is an effective way to control RLN populations, thus offering an environmentally friendly alternative to soil fumigation. In the pearl millet rotation, it is critical to maintain weed-free conditions to optimize the nematode-suppression.