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Velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana L.) was used in crop rotation to determine the influence on southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in sustainable vegetable production. Replicated trials were conducted at four locations. Two cover crop treatments, crimson clover and subterranean clover, were used in the sustainable plots and rye was the plow-down cover crop for the conventional plots. Selected as the vegetable crops were tomato, pepper, and eggplant. Following the final harvest, velvetbean was planted into the sustainable plots and disked under after 90 days. Results from soil samples before and after velvetbean, indicated the sustainable plots had substantially reduced nematode densities, while most conventional plots showed increases. A correlation between location, treatment, root-gall indexes and nematode density occurred in all crops for 1992. In 1993 there was only a correlation between root-gall index and nematode density in pepper. However, root-gall indexes were significant for location and treatment in all crops.
Winter cover crops were evaluated to determine their influence on yield, nematodes, and soil-borne pathogens in sustainable cantaloupe production during a two year period. Six cover-cropping regimes, including a weedy fallow control, were tested in a replicated trial. Pesticide and commercial fertilizer inputs were significantly reduced in the cover crop treatments. No insecticides were needed throughout the study due to high populations of beneficial insects. Fertilizer inputs were only one-fourth the recommended rate used for conventional cantaloupe production. Populations of southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and soil-borne pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium spp. were significantly higher in crimson clover and subterranean clover cover crops, yet yields were greater following crimson clover. Lowest yields and highest number of worm-damaged fruit occurred in the weedy control.