Phalaris and Tall Fescue Forage Production as Affected by Nematodes in the Field¹

Abstract

Nematodes are known to damage cool season perennial grasses, but effects on forage yields in the southeastern U.S. are unknown. Forage yield losses of two cultivars each of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) were studied in a central Alabama field experiment on Augusta fine sandy loam (Aerie Ochraquult) soil. Yields were measured on untreated soil and on soil treated with methyl bromide (MB) or carbofuran nematicide (CN). Second‐year total forage yields of ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue were increased 107% with MB and 39% with CN above that of untreated soil. ‘AP‐2’ phalaris forage yields were increased 348% with MB and 172% with CN. Autumn and early winter production was affected most by the soil treatments. Sod populations of stubby root (Trichodorus christiei Allen.), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus claytonia Steiner), and lance (Hoplolaimus galeatus (Cobb) Thorne) nematodes increased by the second season and then declined. Populations of plant parasitic nematodes were decreased by MB and CN treatments. Nematodes destroyed grass roots at depths beyond 10 cm, and plant stand losses occurred during autumn drought. Nematode susceptibility contributed significantly to poor performance of tall fescue and phalaris on sandy soils. Other soilborne pathogens also may be a factor in causing root damage. These results indicate that nematodes are important in the persistence and production of phalaris and tall fescue on sandy soils of the southeastern U.S. Breeding for host plant resistance to nematodes will be necessary to extend the geographical range of these grass species.

Ryegrass Cultivars and Endophyte in Tall Fescue Affect Nematodes in Grass and Succeeding Soybean

“…Little is known about the effect of these endophytic fungi on plant parasitic nematodes attacking the grasses. Nematodes have been implicated in stand decline in tall fescue (Hoveland et al, 1975(Hoveland et al, , 1978, but improved persistence of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass has been attributed to the presence of endophytic fungi (Hurley et al, 1984). It is possible that nematode response to grasses may be modified by the presence of these endophytic fungi.…”

Carbofuran Effects on Establishment of Legumes in Relation to Plant Growth, Nitrogen Fixation, and Soil Nematodes

“…This positive effect of carbofuran on sodseeded legumes, however, did not occur in every study even though insecticidal activity was noted (Kehr et al 1982;Hogg and Widdowson et al 1973;Hoveland et al 1975). Reduction of nodulation and nitrogen fixation attributed to nematodes has been reported (Nigh 1966;Lehman et al 1971).…”

Tall fescue in Australia and New Zealand

“…Resistance interacts with management, frequently grazed pastures being less exposed to attack from leaf pathogens than pastures allowed to grow rank. However, managing a pasture to avoid disease development is yet another constraint which plant breeders should seek to relieve Other disease organisms reported to damage tall fescue are Drechslera (Smith et al 1986), Xanthomonas (Samson et al 1989), and nematodes (Hoveland et al 1975). Severity depends on environmental factors, including local farm practice.…”