Tom Isakeit, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, College Station, said cotton producers should be on the lookout for reniform nematode.

“I think the reniform nematode is increasing. When I start looking in different fields, I'm finding it,” he said.

Isakeit, speaking at the 34^th annual Texas Plant Protection Association Conference in Bryan, said the reniform nematode is mostly “an unrecognized problem.

“It doesn't have distinct symptoms that indicate nematode damage. It doesn't have root galls or other nematode injury indicators.

“This is just a good plug for doing soil testing for nematodes. It is definitely spreading on our farm.”

Isakeit said there are now several commercial reniform nematode resistant varieties on the market, which has been a game changer in some areas. Based on feedback from one grower, there is a need to get the reniform resistance into a wider array of germplasm that covers the agronomic traits needed for different growing areas, he said.

Isakeit mentioned some experimental lines out of Auburn University that showed promise in his trials. “They tend to suppress reniform numbers better, compared to the currently resistant lines.”

Root rot control

Isakeit also updated cotton producers, consultants and industry representatives on cotton root rot control strategies.

“We have only one material currently on the market, Topguard."

He said several application methods are labeled, including placing the material somewhat close to the seed at planting, either in-furrow or as a T-band.

“Some growers in West Texas put Topguard through the drip tape later on in the season and it is effective if the drip tape is right under the plant.”

He said others are applying Topguard pre-plant. “Some have applied it months before planting. It is critical to ensure that the seed is planted exactly where the material is placed.”

Isakeit said growers are gravitating towards those methods to reduce the risk of phytotoxicity, which is greatest if Topguard is applied in close proximity to the seed at planting.

He said he and other cotton specialists are watching for cotton leaf roll dwarf virus.

"We've been looking for it since 2017," he said. "So far, it's not been an issue. But we will still need to be on the lookout for it. The question is, will it be a problem?"

As with reniform nematodes, it bears watching.