In the Southeast United States, control of parasitic nematodes in vegetable growing systems has traditionally relied on soil fumigation before planting vegetables. However, new regulations on the application of fumigant pesticides and concerns about their toxicity to non-target organisms are compelling growers to adopt sustainable alternatives. This study examined the effects of winter cover crops and subsequent production of cabbage treated with a non-fumigant nematicide on root-knot (Meloiodgyne incognita) and stubby-root (Nanidorus minor) nematodes. Off-season treatments consisted of oilseed radish cvs. “Control” and “Image”, cereal rye cv. “Wrerens Abrussi”, oat cv. “Tachiibuki”, black oat cv. “Protex” and mustard cv. “Caliente”. In-season treatments consisted of an untreated check and the nematicide fluensulfone, applied through the drip irrigation system one week before transplanting cabbage into raised beds covered with plastic mulch. A weedy fallow treatment was also included for comparison. After growing cover crops and incorporating plant residues into the soil, M. incognita population density was significantly reduced only in plots where Tachiibuki oat was grown. None of the cover crops reduced the population density of N. minor. Nematicide application on cabbage significantly reduced M. incognita populations in plots previously grown with Tachiibuki and Pratex oats, and mustard compared to the untreated check. Similarly, the nematicide reduced the N. minor population density in plots previously grown with oats, mustard, and rye. The efficacy of fluensulfone on root gall severity of cabbage was significant only in the untreated check, with plots previously grown with Image radish having a significantly lower root galling than the mustard, rye, and weedy fallow. Nematicide application reduced root gall severity of cabbage in plots previously grown with radish, Tachiibuki oat, and rye compared to the untreated check. Growing cabbage after cover crops and using the nematicide did not impact cabbage yield compared to the untreated check. These results indicate that cover cropping with Tachiibuki oat and the use of non-fumigant nematicides appear to be effective for managing these nematode species.
