Nature of the Root-Knot Disease in Florida Tobacco. J. R. Rich, Associate Professor, University of Florida, IFAS Agricultural Research and Education Center, Route 2, Box 2181, Live Oak 32060. R. Garcia M., Assistant Research Scientist, University of Florida, IFAS Agricultural Research and Education Center, Route 2, Box 2181, Live Oak 32060. Plant Dis. 69:972-974. Accepted for publication 11 April 1985. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-972.

A random survey of 74 tobacco fields in five north central Florida counties was conducted in 1981 to determine grower nematode management practices, Meloidogyne spp. present, and tobacco loss to these nematodes. More than 90% of all fields were treated with a nematicide and planted with cultivars resistant to M. incognita. A minimum of a 2-yr rotation between tobacco crops was practiced in 60% of the fields. The most common Meloidogyne sp., M. javanica, was present in 65% of the fields, whereas M. incognita was found in 33% of the fields. M. arenaria was present in one tobacco field. Moderate to high levels of nematode damage (>5%) were found in 57% of the fields. The survey confirmed the major role of M. javanica in Florida tobacco production.