Standardization of reporting procedures for nematicide efficacy testing: a research and extension perspective

Nematicide tests reported in the Annals of Applied Nematology from 1991 to 1995 were reviewed and evaluated for 24 criteria. Most criteria such as soil type, nematode density, cultivar planted, test location, and nematicide applied were reported in more than adequate detail. Soil moisture content and temperature conditions during the test, field history of pesticide use, agronomic-horticultural production practices, and measurements of yield were reported less adequately. Many reports dealing with fumigant nematicides and application by irrigation had inadequate descriptions of rates and application methodology, Although areas for improvement exist, overall the published works in Annals of Applied Nematology are well-reported experiments. Pressure exists from several elements of hematology to "standarize" reporting procedures and test practices. Due to the diversity of crops, nematodes, nematicides, edaphic and environmental conditions that affect nematicide fate, nematode activity, plant growth, and subsequently nematicide efficacy, creation of a completely standardized format is improbable. More accurate reporting of some test criteria rather than standardization will allow better comparison between tests when results do not concur and allow future researchers to duplicate application rates and methodologies to determine the sources of discrepancies between tests, including environmental variations.