Clemson University

The Emergence of Guava Root-knot Nematode (grkn,meloidogyne Enterolobii), a Highly Virulent Root-knot Nematode (RKN) Species, Is Potentially Devastating to Specialty Crop Production in the Southeastern United States. This Pest Causes Significant Losses in Yield and Quality, and Its Quarantined Status Jeopardizes Both Interstate and International Trade. a Major Concern Is the Ability of GRKN to Infect and Damage Crop Genotypes That Are Resistant to the Other Major Species of RKN, Including Sweetpotato, Cucumber, Watermelon and Tomato. New Resources and Information Are Urgently Needed to Help Farmers Manage This Aggressive and Polyphagous Pest. Our Goal Is to Reduce the Vulnerability of Growers to the Emerging Agricultural Threat Posed by GRKN. Our Interdisciplinary Team Will Achieve This Goal Using a Systems-based Approach Involving Five Interconnected Research and Extension Objectives: 1) Study the Prevalence and Distribution of GRKN in Vegetable Crops in the Southeast, and Characterize the Genetic Variability Encountered; 2) Evaluate and Develop Vegetable Germplasm With Resistance Against GRKN; 3) Evaluate the Efficacy of Nematicides, Cover Crops, and Rotations as Management Strategies for GRKN; 4) Assess the Costs and Returns of Rotations, Cover Crops, and Nematicides for the Management of GRKN on Sweetpotato, Cucumber, Watermelon and Tomato Crops; 5) Develop Print and Web-based Educational Materials on Management and Containment Strategies for GRKN. Our Proposal Contributes to the Following Program Goals: Identifying and Addressing Threats From Pests and Diseases; and Research on Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics for Pest and Disease Management.