ROTATION WITH TAGETES SP. FOR CONTROL OF ROOT-LESION NEMATODES AFFECTS FLUE-CURED TOBACCO GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY, AND COST OF PRODUCTION

Abstract The root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans) can cause significant reduction in tobacco yield and quality. This nematode also is a parasite of cereal rye (Secale cereale), which is a common rotation crop in tobacco areas. Row fumigation prior to transplanting tobacco in the spring is practiced by >95% of Ontario growers to control nematode populations. Planting of Tagetes sp. (marigold) also reduces nematode populations, and when used instead of rye as a rotation crop with tobacco, can provide an alternative to chemical fumigation. Field trials were conducted from 1996 to 1998 to compare the impacts of marigold rotation vs. a traditional fall rye rotation crop, with and without chemical fumigation, on flue-cured tobacco yield, quality, and cost of production. Both the marigold rotation and the non-fumigated rye rotation resulted in slightly less early season N available in the following tobacco crop year compared to the rye + fumigation check. Plant height in July and days to flowering, both...