Host suitability of Brassicaceae crops for Belonolaimus longicaudatus in greenhouse conditions

Sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) acutely damages many vegetables in the Southeast U.S. Brassicas are known to suppress some plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), but the relationship of many brassicas with sting nematode has not been studied. This information would help growers in making decisions about using brassicas in rotation with vegetables in the region. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the host suitability of arugula (Eruca sativa ‘Nemat’), caliente mustard (Brassica juncea ‘Rojo’) and carinata (Brassica carinata ‘NJUET 400’) brassicas for sting nematode as compared to crops with known host status for sting nematode: a poor host, sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea ‘Crescent Sunn’) and a good host, sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum x drummondii ‘Defiance’). Repeated greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2024 with each treatment replicated 6 times. All brassicas — arugula, caliente mustard, and carinata — had higher final sting nematode abundances than sunn hemp and greater or similar abundances to sorghum-sudangrass. This, along with the reproductive factor > 1, indicated that the brassicas tested are good hosts for sting nematode and may not be suitable options for rotation where this nematode is present. However, field research is needed to verify this result and evaluate the impacts of these brassicas on subsequent cash crops.