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Abstract
The market for organically grown fruits and vegetables has been increasing in recent years, and research is vital for obtaining optimal quality and yields in organic production systems. Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) are investigating methods for managing plant-parasitic nematodes on these crops, and studies that involve practices appropriate for organic vegetable production are reviewed in this paper. The projects summarized here focus primarily on suppression of root knot nematode species, including Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood, M. hapla Chitwood, M. incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood. Projects from Florida include investigations of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and chitin amendments for management of nematodes on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). In South Carolina, research programs focus on the identification, characterization, and development of host plant resistance to root-knot nematodes in bell and hot peppers (Capsicum L.), southernpea [cowpea; Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumura and Nakai]. Collaborative research in Georgia and South Carolina concentrates on the utilization of root-knot nematode-resistant bell pepper for managing root-knot nematodes in double-cropped squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Cougar) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Research conducted in Maryland involves the use of rye (Secale cereale L.) and velvetbean (Mucuna Adans.) cover crops as nematotoxin-producing soil amendments, and application of beneficial microbes and their metabolites for suppression of root-knot nematodes on bell pepper, cucumber, tomato, and muskmelon. This research contributes to development or improvement of nematode management strategies that do not rely on the use of synthetic nematicides.