Distribution of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Michigan Corn Fields

Abstract Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) can cause substantial economic yield losses to many agronomic crops in the United States. A regional-scale survey was completed across 20 counties determine PPNs prevalence Michigan corn and how factors such as soil type, tillage, irrigation, cropping systems influence their distribution. Ten different major genera of were identified fields: Longidorus (needle), Helicotylenchus (spiral), Pratylenchus (lesion), Meloidogyne (root-knot), Heterodera (cyst), Hoplolaimus (lance), Tylenchorhynchus or Merlinius (stunt), Paratylenchus (pin), Criconemella (ring), Xiphinema (dagger). No significant differences among categories tillage for lesion, stunt, needle nematode detected. Lesion most prevalent muck soil, while stunt significantly affected by type. Needle least abundant irrigated soils contrast, higher non-irrigated soils. Spiral common all systems. These findings will be helpful planning future studies developing evaluating management strategies.