VERMICOMPOSTING: A POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT APPROACH FOR THE RENIFORM NEMATODE, ROTYLENCHULUS RENIFORMIS

Abstract

Two laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the most effective method of using vermicompost for reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) management in Hawaiian soils. The trials were conducted in January 2014 and June 2014 using 1-mon-old and 6-mon-old vermicompost.  The vermicomposts were incorporated into reniform nematode-infested soil at 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% (w/w) in 10-cm-d plastic pots. After 3 wk, nematodes were extracted using the Baermann funnel technique, and reniform nematodes were counted under an inverted microscope. Soil incorporation of 1-mon-old vermicompost at 1.0% resulted in the greatest reduction in reniform nematode numbers, but when the study was repeated with 6-mon-old vermicompost, a 1% vermicompost amendment did not decrease reniform nematode numbers. It appears that incorporation of 1-mon-old vermicompost at 1% to field soils will lower existing reniform nematode population density.