Management of Guava Root-Knot Nematode in North Carolina Agriculture

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Organization:

North Carolina State University

Amount:

63177.17

Program Area:

Open Grants Program

County of Applicant:

Wake

Year:

02/07/2019

Description:

The invasive guava root-knot nematode (GRKN) has been detected in soybean, cotton, tobacco, and sweet potato fields in eight eastern North Carolina counties. GRKN is more aggressive than other RKN species, it overcomes all known crop resistances to RKN, and few options to reduce the damage in crops are currently known. The threat to North Carolina sweet potato industries and the communities they serve, currently estimated at 95,000 harvested acres worth $342 million, is of particular concern because of potential crop damage and interstate commerce restrictions imposed by recent state GRKN quarantines. Golden LEAF funds will support efforts to identify relatively rapid solutions to limit GRKN damage in North Carolina sweet potatoes by field evaluation of potential nematicides for GRKN control. Funds will also support an extension of the current GRKN detection survey into North Carolina soybean and tobacco crops.

Contact:

Dr. Eric L. Davis
2601 Wolf Village Way
Admin Services III, Suite 240
Raleigh, 
North Carolina 
27695-7514 
(919) 515-7984