Page 18 - 04 Cotton SA October 2014

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Nematode control in Cotton

INTRODUCTION in the implementation of integrated pest other organisms. Among the most notable
management strategies. interactions are the Fusarium wilt/root knot
arasitic nematodes are considered the complex and the seedling diseases complexes
most important pest infecting diff erent
Pplant crops and causing severe yield DAMAGE involving Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium
losses. The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne and Thielaviopsis spp. (Brodie & Cooper,
incognita, is the only species that is The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne 1964; Walker et al., 1998). Understanding
widespread and causes yield losses of cotton species) are among the most damaging cotton’s growth and development pattern
in South Africa. Only race 4 of this species has agricultural pests, attacking a wide range of is very important for timely management
been found on cotton in South Africa. If galling crops. Plant-parasitic nematodes, especially of nematodes. Root growth dominates the
is therefore noticed on other crops it could Meloidogyne incognita, are the most growth of the cotton plant during germination
indicate the presence of one of the other root- damaging pathogens of cotton and they can and seedling establishment. This is a critical
knot nematode species or races that will not reduce cotton growth and yield and cause time for the development of the root system
reproduce on cotton. Since the profi tability of plants to wilt due to reduced water uptake to (Ritchie at al., 2007).
cotton is marginal, reducing the occurrence shoots. In addition to crop damage directly
of damaging nematode species is imperative. attributed to nematode pathogenesis, INTEGRATED NEMATODE CONTROL
This information will enhance the knowledge Meloidogyne species are frequently
on Meloidogyne species and guide farmers involved in disease complexes involving Integrated management uses a variety of
Cotton Skills Programme

Limpopo Province

he 2013/14 Season Cotton Skills of 22 (Twenty two) farmers from well as nine new interns added from the
programme was finally completed the Sekhukhune, Elias Motswaledi College to make the total 31 farmers who
Ton 25 July 2014 at Tompi Seleka (Waterbrug), Mokgopong, Ephraim attended the last Module.
College of Agriculture. A total number Mogale and Aganang Municipality as
The Fourth Module focused on Correct
Techniques of Cotton Harvesting and
the Importance of Meeting Minimum
Requirements of Cotton Grading
Standards was also presented. The
description of all the standards was fully
explained and learners were involved in
practical work.
The most important part of this module
was the farmers who enjoyed an excursion
(trip) to the Loskop Gin to experience
the transaction of selling and buying of
cotton and gain more knowledge on the
value adding and other processes and
procedures of the gin.
Story and photos by: David Mtsweni,
Facilitator, Small Holder Training,
A group of farmers at a cotton trial plot planted at Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture Cotton SA.

Katoen SA Cotton 18 September 2014