CROTALARIA AS A COVER CROP FOR NEMATODE MANAGEMENT: A REVIEW

Much of the research on Crotalaria has focused on nematode suppression in agricultural production systems. Crotalaria is a poor host to many plant-parasitic nematodes including Meloidogyne spp., Rotylenchulus reniformis, Radopholus similis, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, and Heterodera glycines. It is also a poor or non-host to a large group of other pests and pathogens, is competitive with weeds without becoming a weed, grows vigorously to provide good ground coverage for soil erosion control, fixes nitrogen, and is a green manure. However, most Crotalaria species are susceptible to Pratylenchus spp., Helicotylenchus sp., Scutellonema sp., and Criconemella spp. The objectives of this review are to summarize the knowledge of the efficacy of Crotalaria spp. for plant-parasitic nematode management, describe the mechanisms of nematode suppression, and outline prospects for using this crop effectively. Crotalaria species are used as preplant cover crops, intercrops, or soil amendments. Variation in nematode suppression by different Crotalaria cropping systems is discussed. The major impediment to using Crotalaria is its short-term effect in agricultural production systems. Integrating other pest management strategies with Crotalaria could offer promising nematode management approaches.