Evaluates project to increase and disseminate root-knot nematode knowledge and initiate crop protection practices in LDC’s. Special evaluation covers the period 1/80-2/83 and is based on document review and a visit to project headquarters at North Carolina State University. Project accomplishments have been impressive. The international communications network established among agricultural scientists is outstanding and interaction with the International Agricultural Research Centers has improved, especially regarding resistance research. Publications have been excellent; practical identification guides for use by LDC biologists and nematologists were published based on morphological and chromosomal studies carried out on over 1,000 populations of root-knot nematodes assembled from worldwide sources. The germplasm screening program seems to lack clear goals – some work is redundant and techniques need to be streamlined to facilitate rapid rejection of non-resistant accessions and retesting of promising and resistant strains. Screening the germplasm of major food crops should be emphasized. Little progress has been made in developing cropping systems for nematode management; research should focus on a wide variety of crops and eschew the unrealistic objective of establishing economic thresholds for individual crops. LDC cooperators – who must be carefully selected – should be visited by a traveling cropping systems specialist who would impart methodological consistency to studies. They should also be provided editorial assistance in producing extension materials based on their research; that they have already benefited from training is evidenced by improved field reports. A recently discovered Peruvian soil fungus found to be effective in destroying nematode eggs requires more testing before being distributed to cooperators. The finding of a specific interaction between certain Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria populations that leads to a breaking of resistance is of great significance, but falls outside the project’s scope and should be funded separately. It is recommended that emphasis be put on resistance screening, crop sequencing evaluations, and support to cooperators in producing extension materials, and that provision be made for the maintenance of the project’s collection of Meloidogyne populations.
