Plant Pathology and Nematology Root-Knot Nematode Reproduction and Root Galling Severity

The root-knot nematode is a serious pest of cotton that reduces yield and delays maturity, but it can be managed through the use of fumigant and non-fumigant nematicides, crop rotation, and resistant cultivars. Nematicides are effective but do not provide season-long protection, and their future availability is uncertain due to environmental concerns. Crop rotation is not widely practiced because many potential rotation crops have relatively low market value, or they are also hosts for the nematode. Although high levels of resistance are available in breeding lines, there are only three commercial cotton cultivars that exhibit moderate resistance to the root-knot nematode. Several genetically modified cotton cultivars that have gene