BAHIAGRASS-COTTON ROTATIONS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF MELOIDOGYNE-INCOGNITA AND HOPLOLAIMUS-GALEATUS

A 3-year experiment was conducted to determine the value of 'Pensacola ' bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) as a rotation crop for the management of nematode problems in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The experiment wa s in a field infested with Meloidogyne incognita, Hoplolaimus galeatus , and Paratrichodorus minor, as the principal nematodes, with small po pulations of Helicotylenchus dihystera, Pratylenchus spp., and Tylench orhynchus claytoni. Yields of seven cotton cultivars (Deltapine 20, De ltapine 50, Coker 320, Coker 315, Stoneville 453, DES 119, and S 1001) following 2 years of bahiagrass were higher than in cotton monocultur e. The mag nitude of the yield response to the rotation was cultivar d ependent. At-plant application of the nematicide aldicarb (17 g.a.i./1 00 m row) improved cotton yields in both the monoculture and the rotat ion system. Yield response to the nematicide was more pronounced in th e monoculture than in the rotation system; in both systems the respons e was cultivar dependent.