Crop rotation for management of plant‐parasitic nematodes in forage corn production

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an important silage source for dairy cattle production in the southeastern United States. Silage corn is often grown continuously, which frequently results in severe pressure from plant‐parasitic nematodes such as sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus). Crop rotation is one of the few nematode management options available in forage production. The research objective was to assess summer‐planted rotation crops, preceding spring silage corn, for management of plant‐parasitic nematodes. Rotation crops included field corn, pearl millet [Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone]—with or without fertilizer—, sorghum‐sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanense Piper], and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), which was either incorporated into soil or harvested. Rotation crops were assessed in a 3‐year field study in central Florida. Sunn hemp treatments significantly reduced sting nematode soil abundances relative to corn by 84%, 90%, and 84% before spring corn planting in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 and at rotation crop termination in 2021–2022, respectively. Abundances of other plant‐parasitic nematodes were not consistently influenced by rotation. Biomass of winter rye (Secale cereale L.)—a bridge cover crop between summer and spring crops—was consistently increased following sunn hemp with significant increases of 87%, 106%, and 186% relative to following corn in 2019–2020, 2020–2021, and 2021–2022, respectively. Similarly, sunn hemp significantly increased spring corn yield by 70% and 136% relative to double‐cropped corn in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, respectively. Overall, rotation with sunn hemp improved plant‐parasitic nematode management in forage corn production relative to rotations with only gramineous crops.

Evaluation of the Role of Legumes in Crop Rotation Schemes of Organic or Conventionally Cultivated Cabbage

“…Besides the increased yield in subsequent crops [30] and soil N enhancement that could lead to reduced dependency on N fertilizers, the incorporation of legumes into cropping systems can be beneficial to a wide range of ecological and human health perspectives. Indeed, the ecosystem services of legumes range from reductions in greenhouse gas emissions [31], plant-parasitic nematode and weed management [32,33], biodiversity conservation [34], sustainable intensification, which is of paramount importance for smallholder agriculture viability [35], and increased feed and forage self-sufficiency [36]. Moreover, the increased use of legume-derived products (e.g., protein) can lead to more healthy and sustainable diets [37,38].…”

Unraveling the Roles of Neuropeptides in the Chemosensation of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica

“…Therefore, there is a growing recognition of searching for alternative approaches to nematode management. Biocontrol methods that exploit nematophagous fungi and bacteria and crop rotation with non-host plants represent environmentally friendly options by disturbing the life cycle and living environment of nematodes [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Developing crop varieties carrying natural resistance genes via crop breeding or a genetic engineering approach is also an effective strategy [ 8 , 9 ].…”