Improved control of nematodes in carrot production Dr. Frank Hay University of Tasmania Project Number: VG99020 VG99020 This report is published by Horticulture Australia Ltd to pass on information concerning horticultural research and development undertaken for the vegetable industry. The research contained in this report was funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd with the financial support of the vegetable industry. All expressions of opinion are not to be regarded as expressing the opinion of Horticulture Australia Ltd or any authority of the Australian Government. The Company and the Australian Government accept no responsibility for any of the opinions or the accuracy of the information contained in this report and readers should rely upon their own enquiries in making decisions concerning their own interests. ISBN 0 7341 0933 4 Published and distributed by: Horticultural Australia Ltd Level 1 50 Carrington Street Sydney NSW 2000 Telephone: (02) 8295 2300 Fax: (02) 8295 2399 E-Mail: [email protected] © Copyright 2004 Improved control of nematodes in carrot production. Final report for project VG99020 (June 2004) Frank Hay1, Greg Walker2, Elaine Davison3, Allan McKay3, Tony Pattison4, Jennifer Cobon5, Julie Stanton 4†, Deborah Keating6†, Lila Nambier6, Jackie Nobbs7 1 (Project Leader) Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania North West Centre, P.O. Box 3523, Burnie, Tasmania, Australia 7320. 2 SARDI Plant Research Centre, GPO BOX 397 Adelaide, South Australia 5001. 3 Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Locked Bag No. 4, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983. 4 Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 20, South Johnstone, Queensland 4859. 5 Department of Primary Industries, 80 Meiers Road Indooroopilly, Queensland 4048. 6 Department of Primary Industries Victoria, Private Bag 15, Ferntree Gully Delivery Centre, Victoria 3056. 7 Department of Crop Protection, Waite Campus, University of Adelaide, PMB1 Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064. † No longer employed in this position Horticulture Australia Ltd. Project VG99020 Improved control of nematodes in carrot production June 2004. Contact details for project leader: Dr. Frank Hay, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania North West Centre, P.O. Box 3523, Burnie, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA 7320. Purpose of project: This project aimed to develop improved methods of controlling nematodes in carrot production in Australia. It involved a national survey to identify the nematode species associated with carrot production in Australia and provided information on improved sampling techniques for nematodes, better understanding of host range and potential for rotation crops, alternative nematicides, the use of alternative methods to nematicides, and biodegredation of nematicides. Funding: Funded by the National Vegetable Research and Development Levy and the Commonwealth Government through Horticulture Australia. Disclaimer: Any recommendations contained in this publication do not necessarily represent current Horticulture Australia Ltd. policy. No person should act on the basis of the contents of this publications, whether as to matters of fact or opinion or other content, without first obtaining specific, independent professional advice in respect of the matters set out in this publication. Table of contents Media summary ..................................................................................... i Technical summary............................................................................... ii 1. Introduction .......................................................................................1 2. Carrot production in Australia............................................................2 2.1 Victoria....................................................................................3 2.2 Tasmania ................................................................................5 2.3 Western Australia....................................................................7 2.4 Queensland.............................................................................8 2.5 South Australia........................................................................8 3. Nematodes parasites of carrot .......................................................10 3.1 Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) ..............................10 3.2 Lesion nematode (Pratylenchus spp.)...................................14 3.3 Needle nematode (Longidorus spp.).....................................17 3.4 Pin nematode (Paratylenchus spp.)......................................17 3.5 Sting nematode (Belonolaimus spp.) ....................................18 3.6 Stubby root, Spiral and Stem nematodes. ............................18 3.7 Important nematode parasites of carrot not in Australia........19 4. Sampling methods for nematodes ..................................................22 4.1 Sampling intensity (Tasmania)..............................................22 4.2 Sampling intensity (South Australia) .....................................23 4.3 Distribution of nematodes within fields (Tasmania)...............26 4.4 Discussion ............................................................................28 5. Improving soil tests for nematodes (Western Australia)..................30 5.1 Example of poor correlation between pre-plant nematode count and seedling infection ..................................................31 6. Survey for nematodes in carrot crops in Australia...........................36 6.1 Tasmania (2000/2001 season) .............................................36 6.2 South Australia......................................................................38 6.3 Queensland...........................................................................47 6.4 Western Australia..................................................................52 6.5 Victoria..................................................................................56 6.6 PCR detection of root knot nematode ...................................56 7. Effect of nematodes on carrot yield and quality ..............................58 7.1 Effect of Pratylenchus on yield and quality of Kuroda carrot in Tasmania 2000/2001........................................58 7.2 Effect of Pratylenchus on yield and quality of Kuroda carrot in Tasmania 2001/2002........................................65 7.3 Association between carrot defects and nematodes in South Australia........................................................................75 7.4 Effect of Paratrichodorus and Pratylenchus on carrot production (South Australia) .......................................................92 8. Pathogenicity of nematodes to carrot..............................................95 8.1 Pathogenicity of Pratylenchus spp. to carrot (South Australia).....................................................................................95 8.2 Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne spp. to carrot (Victoria) ..........97 8.3 Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp. and Radopholus similis to carrot (Queensland) ........................101 8.4 Relationship between root knot nematode populations and carrot quality (Western Australia).......................................106 8.5 Resistant varieties (South Australia) ...................................107 9. Control of nematodes through rotation and break crops ...............109 9.1 Effect of a fallow period on Pratylenchus populations (Tasmania)................................................................................109 9.2 Host range of Pratylenchus penetrans (Tasmania).............110 9.3 Use of cover crops, organic amendments and nematicides for control of Meloidogyne javanica (South Australia)...............112 9.4 Rotation crops to control Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus spp. (Queensland) ....................................................................122 9.5 Biofumigation species for control of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus spp. (Queensland)...............................................124 9.6 Pigweed (Portulaca oleracea) as a host of Meloidogyne javanica in carrot in South Australia..........................................128 10. Chemical control .........................................................................129 10.1 Comparison of nematicides and fallow treatment for control of Meloidogyne javanica (Queensland) .........................131 10.2 Efficacy of non-fumigant nematicides for control of Meloidogyne javanica (Queensland).........................................133 10.3 Effects of pre-planting fumigants on carrot yields and quality and nematode population dynamics (South Australia) ..135 10.4 Efficacy of nematicides in carrot production (Western Australia)...................................................................................140 10.5 Enhanced biodegredation of nematides in Victoria...........152 11. Summary of strategies for control of nematodes in carrot production .................................................................................158 11.1 Assessing nematode population density...........................158 11.2 Resistant varieties of carrot...............................................162 11.3 Fallow (bare fallow, break crops) ......................................162 11.4 Planting date.....................................................................177 11.5 Chemicals .........................................................................178 11.6 Other strategies for control