Evaluation of PhytoGen Cotton Varieties in Reniform Nematode-Infested Field in North Alabama, 2024

Reniform nematode ( Rotylenchulus reniformis) is a destructive pathogen affecting cotton production in the southeastern United States, leading to significant yield losses. This study evaluated the efficacy of 10 PhytoGen cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum; ‘PHY 340’, ‘PHY 411’, ‘PHY 415’, ‘PHY 309’, ‘PHY 329’, ‘PHY 330’, ‘PHY 331’, ‘PHY 357’, ‘PHY 360’, and ‘PHY 361’) varieties for reniform nematode resistance and yield performance. The trial was conducted in 2024 at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina, AL, using a randomized complete block design with five replications. Results revealed differences among varieties, with resistant cultivars showing lower nematode egg densities and higher seed cotton yield than PHY 340. These findings provide valuable guidance for cotton producers in selecting nematode-resistant varieties to improve productivity in reniform nematode-infested fields.