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Root Diseases and Nematodes in Bahiagrass-Vegetable Rotations

A double-crop of cucumber-snap bean was grown continuously for 4 years and compared with rotations of 1, 2, or 3 years of bahiagrass followed by vegetables. No nematicides or soil fungicides were applied. Root and hypocotyl disease severity in snap bean from Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 and Pythium spp. was decreased after 2 years of bahiagrass compared with 1 year of bahiagrass and 1 year of vegetables or continuous vegetables. Root galling caused by Meloidogyne incognita was less following 2 or 3 years, but not 1 year, of bahiagrass than following continuous vegetables. The beneficial effect of the rotation with bahiagrass lasted only 1 year. Then root injury from soilborne pathogenic fungi and root-knot nematodes was similar to that in continuous vegetables. Plant populations and yield of vegetables were greater following 3 years of bahiagrass than following 1 year of bahiagrass and 3 years of vegetables or continuous vegetables. Two years of bahiagrass followed by 1 or 2 years of vegetables did not increase yield of vegetables consistently.