William T. (Billy) Crow

Landscape Nematologist
(70% Extension, 20% Research, 10% Teaching)

mail to: wtcr@ufl.edu

University of Florida
Entomology and Nematology Department
P.O. Box 110620
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
TEL: (352) 392-1901 ext. 138

Florida Nematode Assay Lab
P.O. Box 110820
Gainesville, FL 32611-0820
TEL: (352) 392-1994
mail to: nemalab@ifas.ufl.edu

Education

PhD., University of Florida (Nematology), 1999
M.S., Auburn University (Agronomy), 1996
B.S., University of Hawaii at Hilo (Tropical Agriculture), 1993

Employment

Associate Professor (2006-present), Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Assistant Professor (2000-2006), Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Assistant Professor (1999-2000), Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX.
Research Assistant (1996-1999) University of Florida, Gainesville.
Research Assistant (1993-1995) Auburn University

Staff

  • Frank Woods - Senior Biologist, (352) 392-1994, mail to: fewoods@ufl.edu

  • Matthew Coon - Field Technician, (352) 392-1994, mail to: mrcoon@ifas.ufl.edu

    • Extension Responsibilities (70%)

    This position centers on the diagnosis and management of plant-parasitic nematodes affecting turfgrasses, ornamental plants, and residential landscapes. As an extension educator, my major role is preparation of training materials and presentation of training programs for use by county extension faculty and volunteers, and commodity group clientele. These training materials include fact sheets, slide presentations, demonstration instructions, and for-sale publications. Training programs include in-service training for county extension agents, training for master gardeners, clientele training organized by extension faculty and by commodity groups, and participation in field days. I also manage the University of Florida Nematode Assay Lab, which provides diagnoses of nematode disorders of plants for extension personnel and clientele.

    Teaching (10%)

    My goals in teaching are to provide students with the tools they need to solve the problems and challenges they will face, and to give them practice doing so. As a mentor for graduate students, I give the student a rough outline of what needs to be done, and then allow them to put the substance on the skeleton. When the student faces difficulties, I point them in the right direction and give them any help they need, but allow them to attempt to solve the problem before getting involved directly. In the classroom, I generally use lots of case studies from real-life situations to give students practice in putting together the knowledge they have. We also go on numerous field trips to give students first-hand experience in applied nematology.

    Nematode diagnosis: 2 Credits. Spring and Fall semesters. Hands-on graduate course developed to train students in diagnosis of nematode disorders of plants. This course is a requirement for students in the Doctor of Plant Medicine program, but is available to others as space is available. http://entnem.ifas.ufl.edu/NEM6708.htm

    Current Graduate Students

  • John Eric Luc - Ph.D., expected Fall 2009

    Past Graduate Students

  • Pauric McGroary - Master of Science, 2007

  • Johanna Welch - Doctor of Plant Medicine, 2005

  • Roi Levin - Master of Science, 2005

  • John Eric Luc - Master of Science, 2004

  • Adam Hixson - Master of Science, 2003

    Research (20%)

    The green industry (turf and ornamentals) generates >$10 billion for Florida’s economy annually. Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major limiting factor to the production and maintenance of turf and ornamental plants in this state. As an extension specialist, I need to properly diagnose plant disorders caused by nematodes, and then recommend management options to treat these disorders. My research program is designed to generate the information necessary to better conduct my extension duties.

    To properly diagnose nematode problems, it is essential to correctly identify plant-parasitic nematodes and to know how much damage they cause. Our research has identified better methods to rapidly identify and diagnose nematodes affecting turfgrasses and ornamental plants used in Florida. As new plant species are introduced into Florida landscapes, it is important to identify potential pest problems that might occur. It also is important to identify nematode resistant plants that can be used in infested sites. We have evaluated the susceptibility of several new turfgrasses and ornamental landscape plants to various species of nematodes that are common in Florida. We also have identifies several woody ornamental plants that are resistant to the root-knot nematode species common in Florida. This information is now being used to make recommendations for alternative planting in root-knot nematode infested landscapes.

    Recently, water quality and quantity have come to the forefront of environmental policy in Florida. In addition to the economic losses and quality reductions resulting from nematode damage to turf, there are also negative environmental impacts that may result. Our studies have shown that sting nematode increases the potential for nitrate leaching in bermudagrass, decreases the effectiveness of fertilizer applied, and greatly reduces rought stress. Therefore, nematode control on turf may reduce groundwater contamination and water usage.

    Fenamiphos, has been the predominant nematicide used on turfgrasses for the past 30 years. However, this nematicide is no longer being manufactured after May 2007. This has created a great need for development of new nematode management strategies that are efficient, economical, and environmentally sound. We are actively pursuing numerous strategies including chemical control, biological control, and enhancing plant tolerance. We have been evaluating >20 potential nematode management products each year. In addition to searching for effective new products for nematode management on turf and ornamentals we are providing a valuable service as an independent product-testing provider. Many of the products being marketed to the turf and ornamental industries have not undergone rigorous testing in the field. Without having worked with these products, it is impossible to give recommendations to our extension clientele on what to expect if these products are used.

    Book Chapters

    Crow, W.T. 2007. Understanding and managing plant-parasitic nematodes on turfgrasses. Pp. 351-371 in M. Pessarakli (Ed.), Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology. Taylor and Francis, London, United Kingdom.

    Crow, W.T. 2007. Stubby-root nematodes. In W.W. Bockus (Ed.), Compendium of Wheat Diseases and Insects (Third Edition). APS Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (in press).

    Refereed Publications

    Luc, J.E., W.T. Crow, J.L. Stimac, J.B. Sartain, and R.M. Giblin-Davis. 2007. Effects of Belonolaimus longicaudatus management and nitrogen fertility on turf quality of golf course fairways. Journal of Nematology 39(1): 62-66.

    Luc, J.E., W.T. Crow, J.L. Stimac, J.B. Sartain, and R.M. Giblin-Davis. 2006. Influence of Belonolaimus longicaudatus on nitrate leaching in turf. Journal of Nematology 38(4): 461-465.

    Crow, W.T., D.L. Porazinska, R.M. Giblin-Davis, and P.S. Grewal. 2006. Entomopathogenic nematodes are not an alternative to fenamiphos for management of plant-parasitic nematodes on golf courses in Florida. Journal of Nematology 38(1): 52-58.

    Crow, W.T., and H. Han. 2005. Sting nematode. Plant Health Instructor, doi:10.1094/PHI-I-2005-1208-01. http://www.apsnet.org/pd/searchnotes/2005/pd-89-1128c.asp

    Crow, W.T., D.W. Lickfeldt, and J.B. Unruh. 2005. Management of sting nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus) on bermudagrass putting greens with 1,3-dichloropropene. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10(2): 734-741.

    Crow, W.T. 2005. Alternatives to fenamiphos for management of plant-parasitic nematodes on bermudagrass. Journal of Nematology 37(4): 477-482.

    Trenholm, L.E., D.W. Lickfeldt, and W.T. Crow. 2005. Use of 1,3-dichloropropene to reduce irrigation requirements of sting nematode infested bermudagrass. HortScience 40(5): 1543-1548.

    Hixson, A.C., W.T. Crow, R. McSorley, and L.T. Trenholm. 2005. Saline irrigation affects Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus on seashore paspalum. Journal of Nematology 37(1): 37-44.

    Crow, W.T. 2005. Plant-parasitic nematodes on golf course turf. Outlooks on Pest Management 16(1): 277-282.

    Crow, W.T. 2005. Diagnosis of Trichodorus obtusus and Paratrichodorus minor on turfgrasses in the southeastern United States. Online. Plant Health Progress, doi:10.1094/PHP-2005-0121-01-DG (on-line journal, no page numbers).

    Hixson, A.C., W.T. Crow, R. McSorley, and L.T. Trenholm. 2004. Host status of 'SeaIsle 1' seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) to Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Hoplolaimus galeatus. Journal of Nematology 36(4): 493-498.

    Crow, W.T., and J.K. Welch. 2004. Root reductions of St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) and hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon X C. transvaalensis) induced by Trichodorus obtusus and Paratrichodorus minor. Nematropica 34(1): 31-37.

    Hixson, A.C., and W.T. Crow. 2004. First report of plant-parasitic nematodes on seashore paspalum. Plant Disease 88: 680. Slit Injection of 1,3-dichloropropene for management of Belonolaimus longicaudatus on established bermudagrass. Journal of Nematology 35(3): 302-305.

    Crow, W.T., and N.R. Walker. 2003. Diagnosis of Peltamigratus christiei, a plant-parasitic nematode associated with warm-season turfgrasses in the southern United States. Online. Plant Health Progress, doi:10.1094/PHP-2003-0513-01-DG (on-line journal, no page numbers).

    Crow, W.T., D.P. Weingartner, D.W. Dickson, and R. McSorley. 2001. Effect of sorghum-sudangrass and velvetbean cover crops on plant-parasitic nematodes associated with potato production in Florida. Supplement to the Journal of Nematology 33(4S): 285-288.

    Crow, W.T., D.P. Weingartner, and D.W. Dickson. 2000. Effects of potato-cotton cropping systems and nematicides on plant-parasitic nematodes and crop yields. Journal of Nematology 32(3): 297-302.

    Crow, W.T., D.P. Weingartner, R. McSorley, and D.W. Dickson. 2000. Population dynamics of Belonolaimus longicaudatus in a cotton production system. Journal of Nematology 32(2): 210-214.

    Crow, W.T., D.W. Dickson, D.P. Weingartner, R. McSorley, and G.L. Miller. 2000. Yield reduction and root damage to cotton induced by Belonolaimus longicaudatus. Journal of Nematology 32(2): 205-209.

    Crow, W.T., D.W. Dickson, D.P. Weingartner, R. McSorley, and G.L. Miller. 2000. Damage function and economic threshold for Belonolaimus longicaudatus on potato. Journal of Nematology 32(3): 318-322.

    Crow, W.T., E.A. Guertal, and R. Rodriguez-Kabana. 1996. Responses of Meloidogyne arenaria and M. incognita to green manures and supplemental urea in glasshouse culture. Supplement to the Journal of Nematology 28(4S): 648-654.

    Non-Refereed Publications

    Crow, W.T. 2007. Hidden pest of perennials. Ornamental Outlook 16(6): 28, 30.

    Crow, W.T. 2007. Nematodes: Small worms that can cause big troubles. Florida Pest Pro 3(1): 5-6. http://www. flpestpro.com/archive/marapr2007/nematodes.htm.

    Crow, W.T. 2006. Biological control of nematodes: Cracking open the black box. Florida Turf Digest 23(3): 20-24.

    Crow, W.T. 2006. Some nematodes at root of all evil. Turfgrass Trends 61(12): 51-55. http://www.turfgrasstrends.com/turfgrasstrends/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=267659.

    Crow, W.T., T. Lowe, and D. Lickfeldt. 2005. Overseeding and nematicides affect sting nematodes in bermudagrass fairways. USGA Green Section Record 43(6): 8-11.

    Trenholm, L.T., and W.T. Crow. 2005. Curfew can reduce irrigation requirements of bermudagrass infested with sting nematode. Florida Turf Digest 22(2): 10-15.

    Crow, W.T. 2005. Biologically derived alternatives to Nemacur. Golf Course Management 73(1): 147-150.

    Crow, W.T. 2005. How bad are nematode problems on Florida’s golf courses? Florida Turf Digest 22(1): 10-12.

    Hixson, A.C., T. Lowe, and W.T. Crow. 2005. Salts influence nematodes on seashore paspalum. USGA Green Section Record 43(1): 25-28. http://www.usga.org/turf/green_section_ record/2005/jan_feb/Salts.html

    Colbaugh, P.F., and W.T. Crow. 2005. Rose variety reaction to blackspot disease under minimal input growing conditions, 2001. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 20: 17.

    Colbaugh, P.F., and W.T. Crow. 2005. Rose variety reaction to Alternaria petal blight disease under minimal input growing conditions, 2001. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 20: 18.

    Colbaugh, P.F., and W.T. Crow. 2005. Rose variety reaction to powdery mildew under minimal input growing conditions, 2001. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 20: 19.

    Crow, W.T. 2004. Alternatives to Nemacur. The Florida green. Summer 2004: 52-54.

    Luc, J.E., and W.T. Crow. 2004. Sting nematode: Not a steward of the environment. Golf Course Management 72(9): 86-88.

    Luc, J.E., and W.T. Crow. 2004. Nematode and nitrogen management. Golf Course Management 72(8): 97-100.

    Crow, W.T. 2003. Research highlights future nematode treatments. Golfdom 59(10): 76.

    Crow, W.T. 2003. Are alternatives to traditional nematicides a real possibility? USGA Green Section Record 41(6): 7-8. Nematode, where is thy sting? Golf Course Management 70: 103-106.

    Crow, W.T. 2002. Alternatives to Nemacur for nematode management: Change is always scary. Florida Turf Digest 19(5): 25-28. This article also was printed in the Virginia Turfgrass Journal and in North Carolina Turfgrass.

    Crow, W.T., P.F. Colbaugh, S.W. George, W.A. Mackay, and T.L. Carter. 2001. Varietal reaction of selected rose cultivars to powdery mildew, 2000. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 2001: 054.

    Crow, W.T., P.F. Colbaugh, S.W. George, W.A. Mackay, and T.L. Carter. 2001. Varietal reaction of selected rose cultivars to Alternaria petal blight, 2000. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 2001: 050.

    Crow, W.T., P.F. Colbaugh, S.W. George, W.A. Mackay, and T.L. Carter. 2001. Varietal reaction of selected rose cultivars to black spot, 2000. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 2001: 051.

    Current Extension Publications

    Crow, W.T. 2004. Plant-parasitic nematodes on sugarcane in Florida

    Crow, W.T. 2004. Stubby-root nematode, Paratrichodorus minor

    Crow, W.T. 2004. Stubby-root nematode, Trichodorus obtusus

    Crow, W.T. 2002. Nematode management on perennial landscape plants

    Crow, W.T. 2002. Nematode management for bedding plants

    Crow, W.T. 2002. Using nematodes to control insects: Overview and frequently asked questions

    Crow, W.T., and R.A. Dunn. 2002. Managing nematodes in the non-commercial vegetable garden

    Brammer, A.S., and W.T. Crow. 2002. Red ring nematode, Bursaphelenchus cocophilus

    Crow, W.T., and A.S. Brammer. 2001. Sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus

    Crow, W.T., and A.S. Brammer. 2001. Lance nematode, Hoplolaimus galeatus

    Crow, W.T., and A.S. Brammer. 2001. Awl nematode, Dolichodorus spp

    Crow, W.T., and R.A. Dunn. 2001. Nematode management for residential lawns in Florida

    Crow, W.T. 2001. Nematode management for non-residential lawns, athletic fields, racetracks and cemeteries in Florida

    Crow, W.T. 2001. Nematode management for golf courses in Florida

    Crow, W.T. 2001. Nematode management for sod production in Florida

    Dunn, R.A., and W.T. Crow. 2001. Soil fumigation before planting turf

    Crow, W.T., and R.A. Dunn. 2001. Nematode management for nursery crops

    Dunn, R.A., and W.T. Crow. 2001. Introduction to plant nematology

    Crow, W.T., and F.E. Woods. 2001. 2001 Nematode Assay Laboratory

    Adjei, M.B., W.T. Crow, G.C. Smart, J.H. Frank, and N.C. Leppla. 2001. Biological control of pasture mole-crickets with nematodes

  • *Updated 21 June 2007*