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Funded Project

Funding Program: Enhancement Grants - Special Projects

Project Title: Determining Distribution of a Cyst Nematode on Corn in the Midsouth

Project Director (PD): Darrell D Hensley [1]

Lead State: TN Lead Organization: University of Tennessee

Undesignated Funding: $23,000

Start Date: Jul-01-2007 End Date: Jun-30-2008

Summary: The University of Tennessee is seeking funding to aid in determining the distribution of a newly discovered corn pest. In 2006, a cyst nematode was recovered from roots of stunted corn plants in a major corn seed production area of Tennessee, Obion County. Preliminary greenhouse studies have suggested that this nematode reproduces on corn and not on dicotyledonous crop roots. Morphological and molecular identification of the cyst nematode is ongoing but the USDA Nematology Lab contracted by APHIS and has confirmed that the nematode is not Heterodera zeae, the corn cyst nematode. Previously the corn cyst nematode was under federal quarantine, but has since been removed. Molecular tests have confirmed that the cysts found in 2006 corn production are not any of the common monocotyledon cyst nematode species (H. iri, H. mani), however, it is identical to an undescribed cyst nematode found in west Tennessee on goose grass (Eleusine indica) in 1978. The University of Tennessee is proposing to work with the University of Kentucky and Mississippi State University to survey suspected areas, obtain cropping history to determine the threat of this nematode to the corn production areas of each state and to determine spread and biology of this cyst nematode. Information concerning positive findings and areas of sampling will be reported to the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network. Funding in the amount of $23,000 is being requested to conduct a multi-state survey and greenhouse bioassays. Objectives: 1) Determine the distribution of the cyst nematode which reproduces on corn. 2) Obtain cropping history to determine the threat of this nematode to corn production in each state surveyed. 3) Determine spread and biology of this cyst nematode.

Final Report:

Project Type: IPM Seed Grant or IPM Capstone Grant This project type was an IPM Seed Grant. Funding was used to assist in determining distribution of the newly discovered pest of corn. By having knowledge of its presence in corn growing areas, growers should be better prepared to battle infestations of this pest, by implementing IPM related tactics.

Introduction During 2009, approximately 670,000 acres of corn were planted and of that 590,000 acres were harvested which had an average of 148 bushels per acre receiving approximately $3.65 per bushel. The production value of 2009 corn was valued at $318 million dollars for Tennessee. Without proper information concerning the presence and distribution of this nematode, corn producers may have no clue what is actually reducing yields of their corn crop. Also, currently utilized methods of cysts determination do not differentiate between the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and this new cyst nematode of corn. If high populations of cysts were reported in common soil testing, growers may select to rotate out of soybeans and plant corn. This decision would help increase populations of this corn pest if present, while reducing potential corn yields. Producers commonly follow market trends and may select one crop over another, anticipating greater returns due to the market. Without proper cyst identification or knowledge of this pests presence, financial returns could be reduced. Knowledge of the distribution of this pest helps state specialists and researchers examine possible recommendations to provide for producers in nematode infested areas. Knowledge of the presence of this pest provides growers with adequate knowledge of what management tactics should be used in following seasons.

Outcomes The farmer which had the field with the infestation of cysts has rotated to other crops, in the hopes of reducing possible yield reduction when corn may be planted again in future years. Information concerning this pest have been placed in several news stories: http://farmindustrynews.com/crop-protection/insecticides/corn-cyst-nematode/ http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/new-twist-cyst-corn-cyst-nematode-identified-south and posted on the web at: http://eppserver.ag.utk.edu/Extension/SPDN/2007/Cyst-nematode-corn/Cyst-Corn.htm

Impacts The economic risk due to the goosegrass cyst nematode is unknown because researchers, extension personnel and producers have been unaware of its presence and therefore if yield losses did occur they were attributed to other causes. The Tennessee corn field where the nematode was found most recently had stunted corn, leading one to conclude that economic loss is possible. Economic yield loss studies have not been conducted to date. No impact on environmental risk is anticipated because applications of pesticides are not recommended at this date and will not be recommended until a documented yield loss risk is demonstrated. No anticipated risk to human health is currently anticipated because no pesticide application for this pest is currently recommended. The grant helped initiate new collaboration with other USDA labs when we took the next step from detection to looking at host range. We were able to test some corn inbreeds and look for possible sources of resistance.

Non-technical summary Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that cause an estimated ten billion dollars of crop losses each year in the United States and 100 billion dollars globally. Cyst nematodes are one of the most economically destructive groups of plant-parasitic nematodes that feed on the roots of many kinds of plants worldwide. A major problem with determining the extent of crop loss due to plant-parasitic nematodes is that the nematode present in many areas are unknown. In this study, ARS scientists from Beltsville, Maryland and Jackson, Tennessee in collaboration with scientists from University of Tennessee, Nebraska and Missouri describe and illustrate a new genus and species of cyst nematode on corn and goosegrass from west Tennessee, United States. They also discovered how to distinguish the new genus and species from closely related species with molecular and anatomical features. Molecular methods, photographs and measurements are provided for easier identification. The results are significant because they provide valuable details to nematode identification and our understanding of the relationships among other cyst nematode species. This research will be of use to scientists, growers, action agencies and extension agencies involved in nematode research and control.

Appendices Soil samples from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi have been examined for the presence of the cyst nematode detected reproducing on corn roots in west TN in 2006. These samples represented samples from 18 counties in Tennessee, 29 Kentucky counties and 1 county in Mississippi. Greenhouse bioassays were performed to determine pathogenicity of the nematode on corn for all soil samples where cysts were recovered. Vuval cone identification was initiated but was abandoned in favor of bioassay analysis. To date the positive samples have been found in west TN. The Vittadera ng zeophilia n sp.is being described. Host range studies were conducted and the host range is limited to corn and its relatives. Information concerning this pest have been placed in several news stories: http://farmindustrynews.com/crop-protection/insecticides/corn-cyst-nematode/ http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/new-twist-cyst-corn-cyst-nematode-identified-south and posted on the web at: http://eppserver.ag.utk.edu/Extension/SPDN/2007/Cyst-nematode-corn/Cyst-Corn.htm

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