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Species in the genus Globodera are production-limiting pests in a number of crops, and novel methods are required to combat these plant-parasitic nematodes. Globodera pallida (Stone, 1973) Behrens, 1975, a potato cyst nematode, is of worldwide regulatory concern, and one of the most economically important pests of potato causing in excess of 80% yield loss in infested fields (Talavera et al., 1998). First detected in the United States in 2006 (Hafez et al., 2007), the introduction and potential spread of G. pallida has serious implications for US potato production and export. Consequently, it is under domestic and foreign quarantine restriction and parallel state regulations. In addition to the unexpected detection of G. pallida in Idaho, a newly described Globodera species, Globodera ellingtonae (Handoo et al., 2012), was discovered in Oregon and Idaho (Skantar et al., 2011; Handoo et al., 2012). Potato is a host for G. ellingtonae (Zasada et al., 2013), but this nematode is not regulated because pathogenicity has not been established on potato (Zasada and Ingham, personal comm.). Similar to potato cyst nematodes, G. tabacum, (Lownsberry and Lownsberry, 1954), has long been an economically important pathogen of cigar wrapper tobacco in the eastern United States, and control options are difficult, expensive, and of limited availability (LaMondia, 1995a, b).
Cyst nematodes are among the most challenging plant pests to control. The relatively narrow host range of Globodera spp. suggests that crop rotation could be effective for their control. However, crop rotation is an ineffective control measure for Globodera spp. because of their nearly absolute requirement for a hatching factor (Clarke and Perry, 1977; Arntzen et al., 1993; Byrne et al., 1998). In the absence of a suitable host, spontaneous hatch of Globodera eggs is only 10 to 30% per year (Evans, 1993; Whitehead, 1995; Turner et al., 2006; Trudgill et al., 2014), and encysted J2 in eggs may persist in soil for decades, where they remain relatively dormant and resistant to chemical and biological stresses (LaMondia and Brodie, 1986; LaMondia, 2008, 1995b).
Due to the difficulty in controlling Globodera spp., soil fumigants and nematicides have been the main control method. A critical part of the eradication effort of G. pallida in Idaho has been the use of the soil fumigant methyl bromide. However, because the use of methyl bromide has been discontinued, currently infested fields in Idaho are fumigated with 1,3-dichloropropene, which is not as effective and is difficult to obtain. Strategies to control cyst nematodes without reliance on fumigants are urgently needed (Zasada et al., 2010). Plant resistance, when available, has been an effective control mechanism. However, because resistance in potato to G. pallida is limited, and regulations prohibit the growth of potato in infested fields, use of resistant potato as a trap crop for G. pallida in Idaho is of limited value. One alternative strategy may be the use of trap crops. Trap crops, such as potato or tobacco, which promote hatch of cyst nematodes, without allowing reproduction, can deplete their population densities (LaMondia and Brodie, 1986; Turner et al., 2006; LaMondia, 2008; Trudgill et al., 2014).
A non-potato trap crop for G. pallida and G. rostochiensis that has received attention is Solanum sisymbriifolium (Lam.) (Timmermans et al., 2007; Dias et al., 2012; Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016). Solanum sisymbriifolium is native to South America. Scholte (2000a, 2000b) first noted the potential of S. sisymbriifolium as a trap crop for control of potato cyst nematodes. Up to 75% hatch of G. pallida, one season after planting S. sisymbriifolium has been reported (Timmermans et al., 2006), whereas a 2-yr study found hatch to vary between 60 and 80% (Scholte and Vos, 2000). This plant was shown to be nearly as effective as potato at inducing egg hatching, but was resistant to subsequent development and reproduction of both G. pallida and G. rostochiensis (Kooliyottil et al., 2016). Under greenhouse conditions comparing pre-planting of S. sisymbriifolium to Hordeum vulgare (barley), a non-host for G. pallida, S. sisymbriifolium effectively reduced G. pallida populations by 99% in a subsequent potato crop, even when initial nematode population densities were high (Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016).
The goal of this research was to evaluate the potential to implement a S. sisymbriifolium trap crop for controlling three Globodera spp., G. pallida, G. tabacum, and G. ellingtonae in three US locations. Research was undertaken in diverse environments in which these nematodes are found and are economically important. Specific objectives of this research were to (i) evaluate the efficacy of S. sisymbriifolium in reducing egg population densities of G. pallida, G. tabacum, and G. ellingtonae, (ii) determine how planting date and planting duration of S. sisymbriifolium affects its trap cropping abilities on G. ellingtonae egg densities, and (iii) determine the reproductive potential of G. pallida on potato after cropping with S. sisymbriifolium.
Materials and methods
Experiments were conducted in three locations in the United States where the specific Globodera spp. is already present. Because of the quarantine status of G. pallida it is only allowed to rear, maintain, and conduct experiments on this nematode in an USDA-APHIS approved facility. All experiments on G. pallida were conducted at the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Experiments on G. ellingtonae and G. tabacum were conducted at USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR, or at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Windsor, CT, respectively.
Rearing of Globodera used in field experiments
The G. pallida population was originally isolated from an infested field in Shelley, ID. The population was reared under greenhouse conditions on the susceptible potato ‘Désirée’ in clay pots (15-cm diam.) filled with a sterilized sandy loam soil and sand (2:1) mix with night temperature of 10°C and day temperature of 18°C, at a 16:8-h (day:night) photoperiod for all experiments. Species confirmation was achieved through morphological and molecular identification (Skantar Skantar et al., 2007). After culturing the nematodes for 16 wk, cysts for experimental use were extracted from soil using Fenwick’s (1940) can method (Fenwick, 1940) and picked by hand under a stereomicroscope (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany). To estimate the number of encysted eggs, 10 cysts were crushed with a rubber stopper, eggs were washed into a container, adjusted to a desired volume, and eggs/ml were determined under an inverted microscope (Leica Microsystems). Cysts were placed in sealed pouches (2.54 cm2) made of wear resistant nylon mesh (248.92 µm opening) from McMaster-Carr (Elmhusrt, IL), which allows migration of the hatched J2 through the nylon mesh, but retains the cyst for ease of encysted egg counts at the end of the growing season. In 2015, cysts contained approximately 375 eggs/cyst and each cyst bag contained 25 cysts; in 2016, cysts contained approximately 410 eggs/cyst and each cyst bag contained 23 cysts.
Globodera ellingtonae inoculum was produced at Oregon State University Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center (OSU COARC), Powell Butte, OR using the resident G. ellingtonae population. In the year prior to the experiment, susceptible potato “Russet Burbank” was inoculated with G. ellingtonae encysted eggs in 22-liter pots (Grip Lip 2800; Nursery Supplies Inc., McMinnville, OR) buried in the field. The plants were allowed to grow the entire season, naturally senesce, and the pots containing nematodes remained in the field over the winter. The following spring, pots were removed from the ground and soil was dried and sieved to remove large debris. To create soil with high cyst densities, the floating fraction from dried soil was extracted, allowed to dry for 2 to 3 d, and then mixed back into soil containing cysts. The egg density of this soil was then determined by extracting cysts from 50 g of soil from five random samples using an USDA cyst extractor (Spears, 1968). Then, cysts were hand-picked and counted. Cysts were crushed as described above and eggs were counted. Mesh bags of soil containing cysts were constructed by placing 35 g of the cyst-infested-soil in a 10-cm square of 250-µm nylon mesh heat sealed to close (Jores Technology, Sunrise, FL). In 2014, sealed bags contained ~50 cysts with a mean of 307 ± 34 eggs per cyst, and in 2015 sealed bags contained ~75 cysts with a mean of 311 ± 26 eggs per cyst.
Globodera tabacum inoculum was derived from soil naturally infested with various densities of G. tabacum after a tobacco crop. Initial densities were determined by extracting cysts from 500 cm3 soil using a modified Fenwick can. Extracted cysts were crushed and viable eggs and J2 counted as described above. Densities ranged from 4 to 445 (mean = 125) viable encysted J2 per cm3 in 2015 and from 1 to 328 (mean = 59) viable encysted J2 per cm3 soil in 2016.
Effect of S. sisymbriifolium on G. pallida egg density and reproduction
Globodera pallida populations in infested fields in Idaho are low in density, highly aggregated, and variable in both viability and in egg numbers (T. Gresham, personal communication). Increasing field populations by growing potato is not possible because of restrictions in place by USDA-APHIS. To demonstrate the potential of S. sisymbriifolium under field conditions, greenhouse-reared G. pallida cysts were used (as described above) and a containment protocol was developed and approved by USDA-APHIS and ISDA to prevent the possible escape of introduced cysts. To achieve containment, cysts were placed in sealed bags as described above.
Microplot trials were conducted in Shelly, ID in 2015 and 2016. Microplots were prepared by drilling four 1-cm holes in the bottom of a bucket (18.9 liter) and sealing nylon mesh (same as used for cyst bags) over each hole with silicon caulking. To prevent any possible escape of G. pallida into the surrounding field soil, each bucket was then placed inside of another bucket of the same size that had not been drilled, and the unit was placed into holes in the soil created by a backhoe. Each bucket was filled with 15 kg of a Bannock silt loam field soil. Cysts (2.5 encysted eggs/g soil) contained in nylon mesh bags were placed 15-cm below the soil surface and covered with soil. Microplots contained five cyst bags each, with one bag retrieved for estimation of encysted eggs and four bags remained in the microplots for the potato bioassay (see below). The nylon mesh bags were attached to stakes for ease of retrieval. Solanum sisymbriifolium seeds (Accession PI 381291) were obtained from Chuck Brown, USDA-ARS, Prosser, WA, and 4-wk-old transplants (approximately 8-cm in height, five plants per microplot) were planted; a bare soil treatment was used as the control. Treatments (with or without S. sisymbriifolium) were replicated six times and arranged in a randomized block design in both experiments. At the termination of the experiment, S. sisymbriifolium tops were cut at the crown of the plant, but roots remained in place.
To assess treatment effects after 10 and 12 wk in 2015 and 2016, respectively, remaining encysted egg numbers were determined, and a potato bioassay was conducted. The number of encysted eggs was determined by releasing eggs from 10 cysts for each replicate into 0.5 ml water, and enumerating all eggs in a 100 µl aliquot using a stereomicroscope (Leica Microsystems). The microplot buckets containing the field soil and the G. pallida population from the remaining four cyst bags were placed at 4°C for an 8-wk chilling period (Perry and Gaur, 1996; Perry and Moens, 2011; Palomares-Ruis et al., 2013). To determine treatment effects on multiplication of G. pallida, a potato bioassay was conducted under greenhouse conditions for an additional 16 wk. For all bioassay experiments, potato ‘Désirée’ grown from tissue culture plantlets in standard media (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) and approximately 8-cm in height plantlets were transplanted directly into the 18.9-liter bucket transported from the field which contained field soil infested with cysts as described above. All plants were maintained at even moisture by watering daily and fertilizing with Jacks Classic 20-20-20 (N-P-K) all-purpose fertilizer (J. R. Peters Inc., Allentown, PA) three-times-per-week (15 g/liter). After 16 wk, G. pallida cysts were extracted from soil and eggs enumerated as described above. For treatments where new cysts were produced, the reproductive rate was determined as final egg population (Pf)/initial egg population (Pi).
Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model statement in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). To meet assumptions for an analysis of variance (ANOVA), square root or arcsine transformations were used to ensure a normal distribution and constant variation of the count and hatching data, respectively. Means were separated at P ⩽ 0.05.
Influence of planting and termination date of S. sisymbriifolium on G. ellingtonae egg densities
All field trials were carried out at the OSU COARC, Powell Butte, OR. The soil at this location is a Redmond ashy sandy loam. In 2014, an experiment was conducted to determine the impact of S. sisymbriifolium planting and termination date on G. ellingtonae egg densities. The experiment was a 2 × 4 × 3 factorial experiment arranged in a randomized block design with six replications per treatment combination. The factors consisted of two plant types (S. sisymbriifolium or fallow) × four planting dates (May 19, 2014 and at three-3-wk intervals thereafter) × three termination dates (3, 6, and 9 wk after planting). The entire area of the trial was 7.4 × 11.8 m2 and each plot was 40 × 60 cm2 with 1 m between plots. Prior to establishing the experiment, the area received 1,344 kg/ha 16-16-16 (N-P-K) prior to shallow cultivation. At each planting date, three bags containing cysts (as described above) were buried 45 cm deep in each plot and then 12 4-wk-old S. sisymbriifolium transplants were planted in each plot spaced 10-cm from bags containing cysts. Fallow plots only received bags containing cysts. The trial area was overhead sprinkler irrigated, received no additional fertilizer, and was hand weeded as necessary. At each termination date, one cyst bag was removed from six replicates of S. sisymbriifolium (with plants being left in the field) or fallow treatments and the bags were transported to the laboratory the same day as collection and stored at 4°C until being processed within 2 d. To extract cysts, the bags were cut open and all contents placed in a 2-liter beaker, vigorously mixed with ~1 liter of water, and cysts were collected by pouring the solution over 250-µm sieves. Collected cysts were washed onto filter paper, dried, and stored at room temperature until further processing. Cysts from each sample were collected and eggs per cyst enumerated as described above.
In 2015, another experiment was conducted at Powell Butte, OR to examine the impact of S. sisymbriifolium planting and termination date on G. ellingtonae egg densities. The experiment was a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial with treatments arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates per treatment combination. The factors consisted of two plant types (S. sisymbriifolium and fallow), two planting dates (June 8 and 29, 2015), and three termination dates (6, 9, and 12 wk after planting). The entire area of the trial was 2.5 × 12.5 m2 and each plot was 20 × 20 cm2 with 1 m between plots. Prior to establishing the experiment, the area was prepared as described for the 2014 experiment. In S. sisymbriifolium plots, four 4-wk-old S. sisymbriifolium transplants were planted around bags containing cysts at a distance of 10 cm from the bag. The trial area was overhead sprinkler irrigated, received no additional fertilizer, and was hand weeded as necessary. At each termination date, five plots of each S. sisymbriifolium and fallow were sampled. In S. sisymbriifolium plots, the plants were dug from the ground. The cyst bags were collected and processed as described above.
Data from each trial conducted in 2014 and 2015 were analyzed separately. Data were analyzed for effects of treatment (S. sisymbriifolium or fallow), planting date, and termination date and interactions using PROC MIX ANOVA with trap crop treatment, planting date, and termination data as fixed effects and replication block as a random effect. Treatments means were separated using Dunnett’s adjustment for multiplicity (P ⩽ 0.05). All analyses were performed using JMP 9.1 (SAS Institute Inc.).
Effect of S. sisymbriifolium on G. tabacum egg density
Field research was conducted in 2015 and 2016 at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Valley Laboratory Research Farm, Windsor, CT in an established shade tent. In total, 65 field microplots (1-m diam.) containing Merrimac fine sandy loam soil (71.8% sand, 23.0% silt, 5.2% clay, pH 6.0, 4.0% organic matter) naturally infested with various densities of G. tabacum were used. Treatments were blocked across low to high G. tabacum densities. Microplots were transplanted on June 26, 2015 and July 8, 2016 with nematode-susceptible shade tobacco (N. tabacum ‘8212’ in 2015, and ‘O-40’ in 2016), nematode-resistant broadleaf tobacco ‘B2’ (LaMondia, 2012), or S. sisymbriifolium. In 2016, treatments were expanded to include eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptychanthum) and a cultivated bare fallow. In both years, microplots were fertilized with cottonseed meal based 8-3-8 (N-P-K) tobacco fertilizer (78.5 kg N/ha) prior to planting and side-dressed twice at 2 and 4 wk after transplanting with additional tobacco fertilizer at the same rate to result in a total of 235 kg N/ha. Globodera tabacum densities were determined before planting and again after harvest by collecting 10 soil cores of 1.5-cm diam. taken to 15-cm in depth from each microplot. Plants were stalk cut, removed and soil within each microplot were cultivated with a small shovel that was cleaned between microplots to mix roots and soil on September 21, 2015 and October 7, 2016 prior to taking soil cores on September 22, 2015 and October 18, 2016. Soil was dried and 250 cm3 soil per microplot extracted using a modified Fenwick can (Spears, 1968). As soil in microplots had been infested with G. tabacum for decades, large numbers of cysts were always present. Cysts were dried and then separated from root debris by flotation in acetone in a milk filter sock. Cysts were rehydrated for 24 hr in water in a test tube, crushed using a tissue grinder and the number of viable encysted J2 per cm3 soil determined by counting two 1-ml aliquots per microplot. Changes in population density were expressed as the Pf/Pi ratio. As data were non-normal, initial and final nematode densities per cm3 soil were log transformed to normalize data and the differences between Pf and Pi logs were analyzed by ANOVA and means separated by Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison tests (P ⩽ 0.05).
Results
Effect of S. sisymbriifolium on G. pallida egg density and reproduction
Exposing G. pallida to S. sisymbriifolium for 10 or 12 wk in 2015 and 2016, respectively, reduced encysted egg densities compared to fallow (Tables 1 and 2). In 2015, the number of G. pallida eggs remaining after a 10-wk exposure to S. sisymbriifolium was approximately 23% less than from the fallow treatment (Table 1). However, the percentage viability of that population as determined by microscopic observation did not differ significantly whether eggs were exposed to S. sisymbriifolium or bare fallow soil for 10 wk. In 2016, a 12-wk exposure to S. sisymbriifolium resulted in a 50% reduction of eggs/cyst compared to the fallow treatment (Table 2). As observed in 2015, S. sisymbriifolium had no impact on the viability of the remaining population of J2 compared to the fallow treatment.
Effect of Solanum sisymbriifolium on Globodera pallida egg density and viability and on subsequent reproduction on potato in 2015.
Remaining eggs/cysts
Egg viability (%)
Progeny cyst (no./kg soil)
Encysted eggs (eggs/g soil)
Pfa (eggs/g soil)
Pf/Pib (eggs/g soil)
Treatment
After 10 wkc
Reproduction on potatod
Fallow
299e
57.0
36
196
6.9
2.8
S. sisymbriifolium
230
58.1
4
10
0.02
0.01
P-valuef
0.10
0.92
0.0001
0.0001
0.0001
0.0001
Note: aPf=final egg population density; bPf/Pi=final egg population density/initial egg population density (Pi ); ceggs remaining in cysts initially used for soil infestation were measured 10 wk after infesting into bare soil or S. sisymbriifolium. Soil was infested with a Pi of 2.5 encysted eggs/g soil; dreproduction was assessed after a second 16-wk cycle where all treatments were planted to potato; evalues are the mean of six replicates; fP-value was determined by analysis of variance.
Effect of Solanum sisymbriifolium on Globodera pallida egg density and viability and on subsequent reproduction on potato in 2016.
Remaining eggs/cysts
Egg viability (%)
Progeny cyst (no./kg soil)
Encysted eggs (eggs/g soil)
Pfa (eggs/g soil)
Pf/Pib (eggs/g soil)
Treatment
After 12 wkc
Reproduction on potatod
Fallow
162e
71.4
20
187
3.5
1.4
S. sisymbriifolium
81
66.4
0
0
0
0
P-valuef
0.002
0.19
0.0006
0.0001
0.0001
0.0001
Note: aPf = final egg population density; bPf/Pi = final egg population density/initial egg population density (Pi); ceggs remaining in cysts initially used for soil infestation were measured 12 wk after infesting into bare soil or S. sisymbriifolium. Soil was infested with a Pi of 2.5 encysted eggs/g soil; dreproduction was assessed after a second 16-wk cycle where all treatments were planted to potato; evalues are the mean of six replicates; fP-value was determined by analysis of variance.
A potato bioassay was conducted to evaluate the impact of S. sisymbriifolium on reproduction of G. pallida on a subsequent potato crop. At the end of the 16 wk bioassays, the number of progeny cysts, eggs/cyst, Pf (eggs), and Pf/Pi was significantly lower in the potato-following-S. sisymbriifolium treatment compared to potato-following-fallow treatment in both experiments (Tables 1 and 2). In 2015, S. sisymbriifolium had a significant impact on reproduction of G. pallida with 88% fewer progeny cysts from potato-following-S. sisymbriifolium compared to potato-following-fallow treatment (Table 1). Not only were there fewer cysts, but newly produced cysts also contained 95% fewer eggs when produced on potato after S. sisymbriifolium compared to cysts produced on potato following the fallow treatment (Table 1). The impact of exposure of S. sisymbriifolium to G. pallida reproduction on a potato crop following S. sisymbriifolium in 2016 was similar to that observed in 2015. In 2016, reproduction of G. pallida was completely eliminated on potato following S. sisymbriifolium, although G. pallida reproduction occurred on potato following the fallow treatment (Table 2).
Influence of planting and termination date of S. sisymbriifolium on G. ellingtonae egg densities
In both years, planting date as a main effect or the interaction of planting date with treatment and termination date were not significant (P ⩾ 0.1). Therefore, only the significant main effects of treatment and termination date, as well as this interaction, were considered. In 2014, the main effects of treatment (fallow and S. sisymbriifolium) and termination date (3, 6, and 9 wk after planting), as well as the interaction between treatment and termination date, were significant (P ⩽ 0.001) (Table 3). When the interaction was considered, there were 50 and 65% fewer eggs recovered from S. sisymbriifolium at 6 and 9 wk after planting, respectively, compared to the early collection at 3 wk after planting (Table 3). A similar reduction over time in egg densities under fallow was not observed.
Effect of treatment (bare ground or Solanum sisymbriifolium) and termination date after treatment establishment on Globodera ellingtonae egg densities in soil at Powell Butte, Oregon in 2014 and 2015.
Termination date (weeks after S. sisymbriifolium planting)a
Treatment
3
6
9
12
G. ellingtonae eggs/cystb
2014
S. sisymbriifolium
196 ac
98 b
69 b
ntd
Fallow
209 a
195 a
173 a
nt
2015
S. sisymbriifolium
nt
218 b
108 c
58 d
Fallow
nt
271 a
261 a
179 b
Note: aTreatments were established on May 19, 2014 and June 8, 2015; binitial density in 2014 was 30 ± 734 eggs/cyst with approximately 50 cysts, and in 2015 was 31126 with approximately 75 cysts; cvalues are the means of six observations. All values in the same year followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to Dunnett’s adjustment for multiplicity (P ≤ 0.05); dnt = not tested.
In 2015, similar to 2014, the main effect of treatment (fallow and S. sisymbriifolium) and termination date (6, 9, and 12 wk after planting), as well as the interaction between treatment and termination date, were significant (P ⩽ 0.001). As in 2014, the longer G. ellingtonae eggs were exposed to S. sisymbriifolium, the greater the reduction in egg number; this is shown by the interaction of treatment and termination date (Table 3). By 12 wk after planting, egg densities under S. sisymbriifolium and fallow were significantly lower than that observed at 9 wk after planting. This resulted in an 82% reduction in initial G. ellingtonae egg densities and 68% fewer eggs than in the corresponding fallow treatment. At the other termination dates, 6 and 9 wk after planting, there were always fewer eggs recovered from S. sisymbriifolium compared to fallow on the same termination date (Table 3).
Effect of S. sisymbriifolium on G. tabacum egg density
Globodera tabacum reproduction in field microplots, as determined by Pf/Pi, varied among tobacco varieties and the trap crop treatments in 2015 (Table 4). There was a substantial increase in Pf/Pi on susceptible tobacco compared to planting resistant tobacco (Table 4). Population densities of Globodera tabacum were reduced by 62 and 86% under resistant tobacco and S. sisymbriifolium, respectively, after 12.5 wk compared to densities under resistant tobacco. In 2016, resistant tobacco, S. sisymbriifolium, and fallow reduced population densities of G. tabacum by 64, 88, and 50%, respectively. Among which, S. sisymbriifolium resulted in the lowest Pf/Pi of G. tabacum (Table 4).
Influence of nematode-susceptible or resistant tobacco, Solanum ptychanthum, S. sisymbriifolium, fallow on Globodera tabacum population change over one season in field microplots.
2015
2016
Treatment
Pia
Pfa
Pf/Pia
Pi
Pf
Pf/Pi
Susceptible tobacco
90.6b
193.6
2.9 ac
64.0
173.8
2.8 a
Resistant tobacco
103.8
36.4
0.4 b
82.6
29.7
0.3 b
S. ptychanthum
ntd
nt
nt
77.3
335.1
6.6 a
S. sisymbriifolium
91.1
10.6
0.1 c
75.6
9.3
0.2 c
Fallow
nt
nt
nt
86.4
43.4
0.56 b
P-value
0.89
0.0001
0.0001
0.86
0.0001
0.0001
Note: aPf/Pi = final egg population density (Pf)/initial egg population density (Pi). Data were log transformed and differences between final and initial populations analyzed by analysis of variance. Means were separated by Fishers LSD multiple comparison test; bvalues are the means of 20 replicate plots in 2015 and 12 or 13 replicates in 2016. Values followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to Fisher’s LSD multiple comparison tests (P ≤ 0.05); cnumbers within columns followed by the same letter are not significantly different; dnt = not tested.
As an overall summary of this project, encysted egg populations of G. pallida, G. ellingtonae, and G. tabacum declined from 25 to 68% after cropping with S. sisymbriifolium compared to the fallow treatment. All three species were impacted by the trap crop and the magnitude of the decline increased with increasing time of exposure to the trap crop.
Discussion
This is the first report on the efficacy of S. sisymbriifolium for the management of Globodera spp. in the United States. Solanum sisymbriifolium has received attention in Europe for the management of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis (Scholte and Vos, 2000; Scholte, 2000a, 2000b; Timmermans et al., 2006, 2009). Current research demonstrates that S. sisymbriifolium was an effective trap crop for a diversity of Globodera spp. found in the US; the potato cyst nematode G. pallida, the recently described G. ellingtonae, and the related tobacco cyst nematode G. tabacum. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the ability of S. sisymbriifolium to reduce encysted J2 in egg densities of G. ellingtonae and G. tabacum. Levels of reduction for G. ellingtonae were consistent over the years, but at the end of the growing season were slightly higher than that of G. pallida and G. tabacum. It has been previously demonstrated that G. ellingtonae is more similar to G. rostochiensis than G. pallida when hatching dynamics and temperature requirements for development were considered (Zasada et al., 2013; Phillips et al., 2017). The effects of S. sisymbriifolium on G. pallida or G. rostochiensis have been reported to be in a similar range to what we observed, with 30 to 47% reduction in egg densities during a 6- to 13-wk period and up to 80% reduction after 14 wk in another study (Scholte and Vos, 2000; Scholte, 2000b). The population of G. tabacum in field microplots was decreased by 80 to 90% after S. sisymbriifolium, significantly more than after planting resistant tobacco, currently used to manage this nematode.
Similar to previous reports, the length of time to which a S. sisymbriifolium trap crop is grown will influence efficacy in reducing densities of Globodera spp. eggs. Timmermans et al. (2006) found that reduction in G. pallida egg number increased with length of exposure with a 47% reduction in eggs 6 wk after planting and a 75% reduction in eggs 21 wk after planting. In another study, potato stimulated hatch of G. rostochiensis more than S. sisymbriifolium, but this difference decreased with longer growth period (Scholte and Vos, 2000). Results from this study supported that S. sisymbriifolium should be allowed to grow for as long as the cropping practice allowed to maximize its trap cropping effect against Globodera spp. For G. ellingtonae, termination time after planting S. sisymbriifolium had a greater influence on egg densities than the planting date. In general, for both G. ellingtonae and G. pallida, the reduction in number of eggs/cyst increased with time with the greatest reduction in encysted eggs occurring when duration of the trap crop growth was longer. However, there may be a point after planting when no additional reduction will be achieved, as was observed for G. tabacum with similar percent reductions in initial egg densities, 90%, at 12 and 14 wk.
The ability of S. sisymbriifolium as a trap crop to reduce population densities of G. pallida prior to potato planting is very encouraging in Idaho for a potato industry that has zero tolerance for G. pallida. Conventional crop rotation with partially resistant potato varieties against G. pallida is only effective when combined with a nematicide (Turner et al., 2006). Trudgill et al. (2014) reported that a minimum of 8 yr of fallow is required to manage G. pallida, and the partially resistant potato variety ‘Santé’ still resulted in a 5-or 30-fold increase in G. pallida multiplication. The very low rate of G. pallida reproduction on susceptible potato after a rotation with S. sisymbriifolium makes this trap crop potentially useful for control of this nematode, despite the loss of income from planting a trap crop for one season. In Idaho, regulatory action by USDA-APHIS prohibits the planting of any potato crop in an infested field (USDA-APHIS, 2009).
Although evidence supports the observation that S. sisymbriifolium reduces potato cyst nematode populations through stimulus of hatching while not supporting nematode development (Scholte, 2000b; Timmermans et al., 2006), other factors may also be involved (Dandurand and Knudsen, 2016; Dias et al., 2012). One possibility may be that hatching stimulus from roots of S. sisymbriifolium continues even after removal of shoots so that hatch of G. pallida may have continued after termination of the first plant cycle with S. sisymbriifolium. Alternatively, S. sisymbriifolium may contain glyco-alkaloid that could potentially be nematicidal (Dias et al., 2012) which may lead to a decrease in densities of G. pallida. Further research is necessary to investigate this phenomenon.
The efficacy of S. sisymbriifolium in reducing egg densities of three Globodera spp. spanned across three geographically and climatologically diverse environments. Timmermans et al. (2009) modeled the potential of S. sisymbriifolium as a trap crop for G. rostochiensis and G. pallida across western and central Europe. In their analysis they considered three different scenarios: (i) a zone with insufficient growth, independent of planting date, (ii) a zone with potentially sufficient growth in the crop if the crop is allowed to grow for the whole season, and (iii) a zone with sufficient growth early or late in the growing season, allowing for a double-cropping situation. All of the sites in the USA where this research was conducted are between the 41° and 44° parallels and would fall into scenario (ii). These would be similar to the parameters of growth and planting date that were purposed for southern France and northern Italy (Timmermans et al., 2009). In North America, locations further north such as Quebec, where G. rostochiensis has been found, were determined to be unsuitable for growing a S. sisymbriifolium trap crop (Bélair et al., 2016).
In summary, use of a S. sisymbriifolium trap crop was effective in reducing egg densities of G. pallida, G. ellingtonae, and G. tabacum within a single growing season in the USA. In addition to serving as a trap crop for these nematodes, it appears that a secondary mechanism of suppression may also be active, with eggs exposed to root exudates of S. sisymbriifolium reduced in their ability to parasitize and complete development on a subsequent potato crop. From a practical application perspective, this research demonstrated that a S. sisymbriifolium trap crop should be kept in the field as long as possible after planting to maximize the reduction in Globodera egg density. Therefore, in Idaho, S. sisymbriifolium may play an important role in an integrated plan to eliminate G. pallida from infested fields.
