Nematodes are parasitic round worms that live in the soil and may infect cotton roots compromising their ability to take up nutrients and water and thus affecting yield and fiber quality. Soil fumigation prior to planting has proven to be effective in controlling root knot nematode (RKN) in high yielding cotton. Telone II (1,3-Dichloropropene) at a rate of 5 gallons per acre will provide adequate control of RKN season long. Root knot nematodes thrive in light textured soils enabling site-specific management by applying the soil fumigant only in sandy areas of a field thus reducing the cost associated with effective control. Temik (aldicarb) applied at higher rates (5 to 7 pounds per acre) is generally effective in many areas with less than extremely high yielding cotton. Varieties possessing some level of resistance to RKN infection are available in some areas of the Cotton Belt.

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