Nematode management in crops grown in North America and Hawaii

The crop and the associated nematodes in North America influence the type of management used. Control of nematodes in low cash value crops depends heavily on host plant resistance and crop rotation. For example, the soybean cyst nematode is largely controlled with a combination of crop rotation, often the non-host corn, and nematode race specific cultivars. In contrast, fields designated for planting with high cash value crops are frequently fumigated or treated with a non-fumigant nernaticide. Treatment with dichloropropene is a common practice for many vegetable crops and fruit crops. Methyl bromide fumigation is used on crops such as strawberry because benefits beyond nematode control, such as control of numerous other pathogens and weeds, are achieved with a single treatment. For nematode management in some perennial tree crops, resistant rootstocks are employed. A case in point is the grafting of peach scions onto 'Nemaguard' rootstocks for areas where rootknot nematode is a problem. Sanitation is a crucial management component for potato production in the Pacific Northwest in the USA. Cash value and the longevity of the crop are major factors in the selection of management tactics.