Root diseases and nematodes in bahiagrass-vegetable rotations

A double-crop of cucumber-snap bean was grown continuously for 4 years and compared with rotations of 1, 2, or 3 years of bahiagrass followed by veget ables. No nematicides or soil fungicides were applied. Root and hypocotyl d isease severity in snap bean from Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 and Pythium spp. was decreased after 2 years of bahiagrass compared with 1 year of bahiagras s and 1 year of vegetables or continuous vegetables. Root galling caused by Meloidogyne incognita was less following 2 or 3 years, but not 1 year, of bahiagrass than following continuous vegetables. The beneficial effect of t he rotation with bahiagrass lasted only 1 year. Then root injury from soilb orne pathogenic fungi and root-knot nematodes was similar to that in contin uous vegetables. Plant populations and yield of vegetables were greater fol lowing 3 years of bahiagrass than following 1 year of bahiagrass and 3 year s of vegetables or continuous vegetables. Two years of bahiagrass followed by 1 or 2 years of vegetables did not increase yield of vegetables consiste ntly.