<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The subtropical climate of Florida allows for a wide range of crops to be grown. With the classification of hemp (<italic>Cannabis sativa</italic> L., &lt;0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as an agricultural commodity, hemp has become a potential alternative crop in Florida. Hemp cultivars of different geographies (Europe, China, and North America), and uses (fiber, oil and CBD), were evaluated in three field experiments. The field experiments evaluated a total of 26 cultivars and were conducted for two consecutive seasons at three different locations (soil types) in North (sandy loam), Central (fine sand), and South Florida (gravelly loam). Nematode soil populations were measured at the end of each season. A diverse population of plant-parasitic nematodes was found, with reniform nematodes (RN, <italic>Rotylenchulus reniformis</italic>) the dominant species in North and South Florida (up to 27.5 nematodes/cc soil), and RKN (<italic>Meloidogne javanica</italic>) the main species in central Florida (up to 4.7 nematodes/cc soil). Other nematodes that were commonly found in south Florida (and to a lesser extent north Florida) were spiral (<italic>Helicotylenchus</italic> spp.), stunt (<italic>Tylenchorhynchus</italic> spp.) and ring nematodes (Criconemoids), while in central Florida, stubby root (<italic>Nanidorus minor</italic>) and sting nematodes (<italic>Belonolaimus longicaduatus</italic>) were found. No significant difference among hemp cultivars was noted at any of the locations. RKN were found in all three regions and soils, while RN were only found in North and South Florida. This is the first report on plant-parasitic nematodes associated with hemp in Florida fields. Natural nematode populations varied greatly, depending on where in Florida hemp was grown. Growers who wish to include hemp in their crop rotation need to be aware of potential pest pressure from nematodes. More research is needed to determine to what extent nematodes, especially RKN and RN, can reduce hemp growth and yield.</p>
</abstract>

The subtropical climate of Florida allows for a wide range of crops to be grown. With the classification of hemp (Cannabis sativa L., <0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as an agricultural commodity, hemp has become a potential alternative crop in Florida. Hemp cultivars of different geographies (Europe, China, and North America), and uses (fiber, oil and CBD), were evaluated in three field experiments. The field experiments evaluated a total of 26 cultivars and were conducted for two consecutive seasons at three different locations (soil types) in North (sandy loam), Central (fine sand), and South Florida (gravelly loam). Nematode soil populations were measured at the end of each season. A diverse population of plant-parasitic nematodes was found, with reniform nematodes (RN, Rotylenchulus reniformis) the dominant species in North and South Florida (up to 27.5 nematodes/cc soil), and RKN (Meloidogne javanica) the main species in central Florida (up to 4.7 nematodes/cc soil). Other nematodes that were commonly found in south Florida (and to a lesser extent north Florida) were spiral (Helicotylenchus spp.), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus spp.) and ring nematodes (Criconemoids), while in central Florida, stubby root (Nanidorus minor) and sting nematodes (Belonolaimus longicaduatus) were found. No significant difference among hemp cultivars was noted at any of the locations. RKN were found in all three regions and soils, while RN were only found in North and South Florida. This is the first report on plant-parasitic nematodes associated with hemp in Florida fields. Natural nematode populations varied greatly, depending on where in Florida hemp was grown. Growers who wish to include hemp in their crop rotation need to be aware of potential pest pressure from nematodes. More research is needed to determine to what extent nematodes, especially RKN and RN, can reduce hemp growth and yield.

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with <italic>Cannabis sativa</italic> in Florida

Department of Entomology and Nematology, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

Horticultural Sciences Department, North Florida Research and Education Center

Department of Agronomy, Tropical Research and Education Center

Journal of Nematology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with  in Florida

The subtropical climate of Florida allows for a wide range of crops to be grown. With the classification of hemp (Cannabis sativa L., <0.3%...

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Cannabis sativa in Florida

Article Category: Research Paper

Published Online: Jul 06, 2023

Page range: -

Received: Jul 29, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2023-0018

Keywords
root-knot nematodes, reniform nematodes, soil type

© 2023 J. Desaeger et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Cannabis sativa in Florida

Article Category: Research Paper

Published Online: Jul 06, 2023

Page range: -

Received: Jul 29, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jofnem-2023-0018

Keywordsroot-knot nematodes, reniform nematodes, soil type

© 2023 J. Desaeger et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
root-knot nematodes, reniform nematodes, soil type