New trends in managing plant parasitic nematodes-introductory remarks.

The late 1980s and early 1990s should prove to be a most exciting period in the development and application of nematode management technologies. Many opportunities exist in developing new nematode management tools. These tools are most likely to be developed under one or more of the following: biotechnology, biocontrol, environmental manipulation, allelopathy, semiochemicals, and improved nematicides. In addition, challenges in the application of both "new" and traditional tools will be fo r t hcoming because of changes in agricultural production, increased grower awareness of nematode problems, and restrictions on the use of available nematicides. Background: Principal methods of nematode management have been categorized as follows: plant resistance, cultural manipulation, nematicides, crop rotation, and sanitation (1). Use of one or more of these methods has increased crop yields and production in nematode-infested land. Specific management recommendations for n e m a t o d e c r o p combinat ions vary and have improved considerably as knowledge has been gained through research. The rapid growth of nematology began with the development of nematicides during the late 1940s and early 1950s. With the development of DD, EDB, and DBCP, hematologists finally had tools for demonstrating the extent and severity of crop losses caused by nematodes. As a result of