Integrated control of nematodes of cool season food legumes

Abstract

Production of cool season food legumes can be severely limited by nematode attack. Symptoms are yellowing, wilting, stunting, decreased biomass and seed yield. The most damaging nematodes are root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.), cyst (Heterodera spp.), root-lesion (Pratylenchus spp.) and stem (Ditylenchus dipsaci). Integrated control is required where profit margins and environmental considerations preclude the use of nematicides. The main factors for effective integrated control are: correct diagnosis of the nematode problems, use of tolerant and resistant cultivars of the main crops, rotation with resistant cultivars of other crops, fallowing, control of weed hosts, choice of sowing time, soil amendment, and sanitation. Present knowledge and future requirements for effective integrated control of the main nematode diseases of each of the cool season food legume crops are discussed.