December 2001 Volume 32 (2)

ONTA NEWSLETTER

ORGANIZATION OF NEMATOLOGISTS OF TROPICAL AMERICA
ONTA web site: https://ontaweb.org

REPORT: XXXIII ONTA REUNION
VARADERO, CUBA JUNE 11-15, 2001

The 33rd Annual Reunion was held in Varadero, Cuba, June 11-15, 2001. ONTA was a participant in the 4th International Scientific Seminar of Plant Protection. It included seven meetings dealing with damaging arthropods, viruses, and nematodes, and strategies for their management in agriculture. Members from Latin America, North America and Europe attended. The meeting was a success for the quality of the scientific program and the interaction between ONTA nematologists and scientists in other disciplines related to Nematology.
In addition to the scientific program, participants enjoyed comfortable accommodation at the International Convention Center ‘Plaza América’ in Varadero. Attendees were treated to splendid beaches, a night of folk music, and traditional Cuban foods. The Agricultural Tour was particularly interesting as it provided the opportunity to see tropical Cuban agriculture. The banquet was opened with a speech by the Secretary of Agriculture of Cuba who emphasized the economic importance of past and present crops grown in Cuba and future agricultural goals necessary for Cuba to maintain place in the changing Caribbean and world economy. The banquet evening was closed by the music of a popular dance band.
ONTA members express appreciation to the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) for a job well done. Special thanks go to LAC members Emilio Fernandez and Lourdes Sánchez Portales, and to all their colleagues who helped make this meeting successful.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

The Executive Committee (EC) met June 12, 2001. Antonio Bello, Larry Duncan, Rosa Manzanilla, Jimmy Rich, and Roberto Vargas were present. Most of EC members were not able to attend the EC meeting because of travel delays. Because of the low number of members at the meeting, the ONTA president, Antonio Bello proposed that EC business be discussed during the regular membership Business Meeting. The proposal was approved by the EC members present.
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
This meeting chaired by ONTA president Antonio Bello was held June 12, 2001. Rosa Manzanilla acted as secretary in absence of the ONTA’s secretary Peggy King. The following business was conducted:

1) Approval of the minutes of the XXXII ONTA Reunion in Auburn, Alabama, U.S.A.

2) Approval of the Secretary’s Report submitted by Peggy King. The report a) listed 380 members of the Organization; b) informed members that Forest Robinson’s constitutional change was approved. (The EC can make exception to the 3% upper limit of the membership that may be honorary members); and c) provided information about the preparation of an updated version of the ONTA directory.

3) Approval of the Treasurer’s Report, Roberto Vargas. He noted that during the last three years, annual meetings have not resulted in any monetary losses to the organization. Remaining funds were donated to ONTA by the LAC. He concluded by reporting a fund budget of about $ 24,000 for the year 2000-2001.

4) Approval of the Newsletter (NL) Editors Report submitted by Renato Inserra and Julia Meredith. They reported that the April issue Vol. 31 (1) NL was the last issue prepared and mailed at cost for the Organization. The November issue Vol. 31 (2) was prepared and posted on the ONTA web site (see title page) at no cost. This procedure will be adopted for all the future issues of the NL. However, a few copies of each issue of the NL will be mailed to ONTA members requesting this service. They reported also that José A. Chavarria-Carvajal agreed to assume the Spanish Editorship of the NL. The candidacy was approved by the members.

5) Approval of the Nematropica Report presented by Larry Duncan (Editor-in-Chief). Larry informed members that an on-line version of Nematropica is now available on the ONTA website. He announced important changes in the Editorial Board of the Journal. More details are listed on page 5 and 6.

6) Approval of the Home Page Committee report presented by Aurelio Ciancio (Committee Chair). The report provided information about the Spanish version of the ONTA website, maintained in Bari, Italy, at no charge. Details about the ONTA website are listed on page 6.

7) Approval of the ONTA Foundation report, presented by Jimmy Rich (Treasurer of the Foundation).

8) Approval of the reports of other ONTA Committees (Business Manager, Local Arrangements and Nominating).

9) Approval of three new ONTA Executive Committee Members. They are José Chavarria-Carvajal (Puerto Rico) new Spanish editor of the Newsletter, Edward C. McGawley (U.S.A.), and Soledad Verdejo (Spain) new editors of Nematropica. Details on these important changes for the publications of the organization are listed on page 6.

10) Approval of the tentative proposal by the International Federation of Nematology Societies (IFNS) to sponsor 150 scholarships to meritorious students and scientists to cover half of the expense for registration to the Fourth International Congress if Nematology (FICN). The funds for these scholarships will be shared by the societies affiliated with the IFNS. ONTA’s contribution ranges $ 2,000-3,000.

During the meeting, Antonio Bello provided information about the 34th ONTA Reunion, which will be combined with the Fourth International Congress of Nematology (FICN) in Tenerife, Canary Islands, June 8-13, 2002. Preliminary announcements about the FICN are provided in nematological journals and the ONTA website. More details about FICN are reported on page 5.
The 35th ONTA Reunion in 2003 was supposed to be held in Venezuela. It is now tentatively scheduled to be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador under the coordination of Jenny Escobar.
Antonio Bello announced also that the new ONTA president (2001-2002), Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana, experienced travel difficulties which prevented him from coming to Cuba.

The ONTA awardees for 2000-2001 were introduced to the delegates by Antonio Bello during the ONTA Business Meeting. They were Javier Franco Ponce who received the Honorary Member Award, Larry W. Duncan who received the Distinguished Service Award, Jimmy R. Rich who received the Special Award, and Saad L. Hafez who received the Aventis CropScience Ecuador S.A. (formerly Rhône- Poulenc) Award. On this occasion,Aurelio Ciancio was recognized for the preparation of the Spanish website.

ONTA FOUNDATION AWARDEES

As approved by the Executive Committee, ONTA Foundation funds were used to recognize meritorious contributions made by students during the annual meeting. Three awards were given to the following students who received congratulations from ONTA members:

1st Place Poster Presentation: Epidemiology and integrate control of Nacobbus aberrans on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill), (Epidemiología y control integral de Nacobbus aberrans en tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) Jairo Cristobal Alejo, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Mexico.

2nd Place Poster Presentation: Selection of Mexican strains of Verticillium chlamydosporium (Goddard) for the control of Nacobbus aberrans (Thorne, 1935) Thorne y Allen, 1944). (Selección de cepas mexicanas deVerticillium chlamydosporium (Goddard) para el control de Nacobbus aberrans (Thorne, 1935) Thorne y Allen, 1944). Rosalinda Flores Camacho, Instituto de Fitosanidad, Montecillo, Mexico.

3rd Place Poster Presentation: A gene family of nematode resistance gene analogs from wheat. (Una familia de genes de resistencia a nematodos con genes análogos del trigo). Maria Rosaria Cortese, Universita’ degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy.

The first, second and third place winners received US $400, $250, and $100, respectively, plus a two-year ONTA membership and plaque. Congratulations to these and all student competitors for excellent posters. Also many thanks go to Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana for his generous contribution to the ONTA Foundation to assist in sponsoring the student awards competition.

ONTA ELECTION

During the Business Meeting, ONTA President Antonio Bello announced that A. Forest Robinson is ONTA’s new Vice-President and Peggy was re-elected as ONTA Secretary for another term. Unfortunately, Forest andPeggy were not able to attend the meeting. ONTA members extend congratulations to Forest and Peggy and wish them a productive term.

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF NEMATOLOGY (FICN)

The 34th ONTA Meeting will be held in conjunction with FICN in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). The meeting will take place at the Ten Bel Resort in Tenerife from June 8-13, 2002. The scientific program will consist of 4 full days of scientific sessions, with an Opening Plenary session, Symposia, Colloquia, Discussion sessions, and contributed papers arranged in 4 poster sessions. Abstracts of contributed papers (poster presentations) will be accepted between December 1st, 2001 and March 1st, 2002.
FICN registration will be accepted from December 1st, 2001. Registration forms will be posted at the International Federation of Nematology Societies (IFNS) website <http://www.ifns.org>. They will posted also at the ONTA website or obtained from Maria Arias, FICN Local Arrangement Chair, Dep. Agroecologia, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, Serrano 115, dpdo, 28006 Madrid, Spain; e-mail: <Maria.arias@ccma.csic.es>.
Registration fees are US $300 when received before March 1st, 2002; US $400 between March ist and May 25th; and US $500 after May 25th. Student fees are half those amounts with a signed statement from their major professor. Registration fees for the spouses and accompanying persons are US $100 when received before March 1st, 2002; US $125 between March 1st and May 25th; and US $150 after May 25th and on site.
Accommodations with breakfast included range from US$ 30-60 per person according to the number of persons sharing a room. The cost of a meal ranges US $10-15.
The final version of the scientific program and updated information about the Congress will be posted on the web sites of the IFNS, ONTA and other Nematology Societies.

NEMATROPICA

During the business meeting, Larry Duncan, Editor-in-Chief of Nematropica, informed the members that the journal will now accept manuscripts written also in French and Portuguese. He added that the associate editors in charge of French and Portuguese manuscripts are Patrick Quénéhervé (Martinique FWI) and Manuel M. Mota (Portugal), respectively. Larry and the Spanish Editor, Nahùm Marbán Mendoza announced the new Editor-in-Chief, Edward C. McGawley Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A., and the Spanish editor, Soledad Verdejo, from IRTA, Departamento Protección Vegetal, Cabrils (Barcelona), Spain. Larry Duncan will maintain the coordination of the electronic version of Nematropica.
Larry has been editor-in-chief of Nematropica for nearly 5 years. He has continued the high scientific quality of the Journal and has attracted valuable scientific contributions from many scientists in Tropical Nematology. He was instrumental in the establishment and coordination of a project aimed at the distribution and easy access of an electronic version of Nematropica to nematologists and specialists involved in Tropical Nematology. The realization of this project made it possible for ONTA to be the first Nematology Society to make available, at no cost, its journal on line. ONTA members express appreciation to Larry for his scientific skills and leadership in making Nematropica one of the most prestigious journals in Nematology.
Nahúm Marbán Mendoza has been Spanish editor of Nematropica since 1993. The excellent work carried out by Nahúm has contributed to the high scientific standard achieved by Nematropica. Nahúm’s services are greatly appreciated by all ONTA members.

ONTA NEWSLETTER

Julia Meredith (Spanish editor of the Newsletter) will be replaced by José A. Chavarria-Carvajal from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. ONTA members express their appreciation to Julia for her very many years of dedicated services in this capacity.

ONTA HOME PAGE

As announced in the Business Meeting, the Spanish version of the ONTA website is provided at no cost by the Agriculture Nematology Institute C.N.R. in Bari, Italy. Aurelio Ciancio is in charge of this version of the website. The English version of the website is provided at no cost by the University of Florida, Gainesville, U.S.A. and is edited by Jimmy Rich. Both versions allow access to the electronic version of Nematropica and the Newsletter. ONTA members are encouraged to contact Jimmy and Aurelio for suggestions and any questions they have relative to the website.

NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS OF ONTA

ONTA members are reminded to send nominations for ONTA Vice President to the Chairman of the Nominations Committee, Jimmy Rich, University of Florida, 30 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351,<jrich@mail.ifas.ufl.edu>. The person elected as Vice Presidency will serve in this capacity from June 2002 until the next ONTA meeting in 2003. At that time, this individual will become ONTA’s President.

ONTA members are reminded also to propose candidates for ONTA awards to the Chairman of the Honors and Awards Committee, Forest Robinson, USDA, ARS, 2765 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845; e-mail:<frobinson@cpru.usda.gov>. 
Cards requesting nomination for candidates of ONTA Vice President and Awards were mailed a few weeks ago.

MIGUEL ATILIO COSTILLA (1935-2001)

Miguel Atilio Costilla passed away July 12, 2001, due to a stroke. Miguel was born on a sugarcane farm close to Bella Vista (Tucumán), Argentina. His parents were farmers with seven children. Miguel attended elementary school with encouragement and aid from his parents. They were rewarded by his excellent grades, hard work and industrious spirit of their son. In these years, Miguel earned extra money for his family by trapping noxious rodents around farms. Because of his excellent grades he was awarded a scholarship by the Municipality of the city of Tucumán. The scholarship allowed him to attend the trade school “San Cayetano de los Curas Azules” where he obtained a diploma in agriculture. Soon after he enrolled in the College of Agronomy and Husbandry at the National University of Tucumán. He received a degree in Agronomy in 1965. During his college years he worked as an assistant in the Entomology Section of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Obispo Colombres, Tucumán. After graduation he became Chief of the Entomology Section, a position he held until his retirement in 1995, at which time he was awarded emeritus status.
During his career, Miguel worked closely with farmers providing advice and recommendations for the management of plant pests and diseases. He became an excellent extension nematologist with extensive field experience and pest management skills. He diligently studied the biology of major economically important plant-parasitic nematodes and crop damage they cause in Argentina. He was particularly interested in the false root-knot nematode, Nacobbus aberrans, elucidating many aspects of its biology and characterizing host preference of Argentine populations. After his retirement, he remained active and was a major contributor in the preparation of a monograph on Nacobbus species in collaboration with nematologists from North, South America, and Europe. In addition to papers published in scientific journals, he prepared many technical brochures for growers and agricultural specialists. Miguel was involved with ONTA for many years, attending many ONTA meetings. He was very enthusiastic and a willing participant in nematology programs. For his investigations and research in the field of applied nematology, he received the ONTA Special Award in 1984. He organized the 21st ONTA meeting in Tucumán in 1989 and was elected President of ONTA in 1996.
Because of his expertise on nematode management and familiarity with other pest problems related to Argentine agriculture, he served in the National Service for Food Safety and was appointed a representative of Argentina in special environmental programs sponsored by the United Nations.
His generosity, enthusiasm, and desire to help students and farmers were unmatched attributes of his life.
Miguel is survived by his wife and two sons. ONTA expresses its condolences to his family for the loss of one of its finest members.
(This obituary was prepared by Susana Marta del Toro.)

ONTA OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5409, USA. Tel:1-334-844-4714; FAX:1-334-844-1948; e-mail: <rrodrigu@acesag.auburn.edu>.

VICE-PRESIDENT: A. Forest Robinson, USDA, ARS, SCRL, 2765 F & B Road, College Station TX 77845, USA. Tel: 1-979-260-9234; FAX: 1-979-260-9337; e-mail: <frobinson@cpru.usda.gov>.

PAST-PRESIDENT: Antonio Bello, C.S.I.C. Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, Serrano 115 DPDO, Madrid 28006, Spain. Tel: 34-91-562-5020; FAX: 34-91-564-0800; e-mail:<ebvb305@ccma.csic.es>.

SECRETARY: Peggy King, Department of Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5409, USA. Tel. 1-334-844-4714; FAX: 1-334-844-1948; e-mail: <pking@acesag.auburn.edu>.

TREASURER: Roberto Vargas, Department of Crop Protection, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus, P.O. Box 9030, Mayaguez, PR 00681-9030.
Tel:1-787-265-3859; FAX:1-787-265-0860; e-mail:<r_vargas@rumac.uprm.edu> or <nematodes4rva@hotmail.com>.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NEMATROPICA: Edward C. McGawley, Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University, 302 Life Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, U.S.A. Tel: 1-225-769-0748; FAX: 1-225-388-1415; e-mail:<emcgawley@agcrt.lsu.edu>.

SPANISH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NEMATROPICA: Soledad Verdejo, IRTA, Departamento de Protección Vegetal, Carretera de Cabrils S/N, Cabrils (Barcelona), Spain, Tel:34-93-750-7511; FAX:34-93-753-3954; email: <soledad.verdejo@irta.es>.

EDITORS OF ONTA NEWSLETTER: Renato N. Inserra, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Nematology Section, P.O. Box 147100, Gainesville FL 32614-7100, USA. Tel: 1-352-372-3505, Ext. 115; FAX: 1-352-955-2301 or 2300; e-mail:<inserrr@doacs.state.fl.us> José A. Chavarría, Department of Crop Protection, Mayaguez Campus, University of Puerto Rico, P. O. Box: 9030, Mayaguez, PR 00681-9030, U.S.A.; Tel:1-787-265-3859;FAX:1-787-833-7765;email:<j_chavarria@rumac.uprm.edu>,
or <jachavar@hotmail.com>.

BUSINESS MANAGER: Charles Weaver, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849-5409, USA, Tel. 1-334-844-4714; FAX: 1-334-844-1948; e-mail: <cweaver@acesag.auburn.edu>.

MEMBERS AT LARGE: Robert McSorley, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville FL 32611-0620, Tel:1-352-392-1901,Ext.137; FAX:1-352-392-0190;<rmcs@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>. Maurice Moens, Crop Protection Department, Agricultural Research Center, Burg Van Gansberghelaan 96, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Tel: 32-09-272-0271; FAX: 32-09-272-0215; e-mail: <m.moens@clo.fgov.be>

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE IFNS: A. Forest Robinson (see address under Honors and Awards Committee) and Renato Crozzoli, Univ. Central de Venezuela, Instituto de Zoologia Agricola, Apartado 4975-A, Maracay, Aragua 2101, Venezuela. FAX: 58-43-507085; e-mail:<rencro@telcel.net.ve>.

HONORS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE: A. Forest Robinson (Chair), USDA, ARS, SCRL, 2765 F & B Road, College Station TX 77845, USA. Tel: 1-979-260-9234; FAX: 1-979-260-9337; e-mail: <frobinson@cpru.usda.gov>Marcelo E. Doucet, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Lab, de Nemat, Centro de Zoologia Aplicada, Casilla de Correo 122, 5000 Cordoba, Argentina. Tel: 54-51-322055; FAX: 54-51-332054; e-mail:<mdoucet@gtwing.efn.uncor.edu>; Robert McSorley, Department of Entomology & Nematology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110620, Natural Area Bldg. 970, Gainesville FL 32611-0620, USA. Tel:1- 352-392-1901, Ext. 137; FAX:1- 352-392-0190; e-mail:<rmcs@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>; Juan Carlos Magunacelaya, Universidad de Chile, Fac. de Agronomia, Casilla 1004, Santiago, Chile. Tel: 56-2-6785821; FAX: 56-2-6785812; e-mail: <jmagunac@abello.dic.uchile.cl> or <jmagunac@aix1.ucv.cl> Franco Lamberti, Istituto Nematologia Agraria CNR, Trav. 174 Di Via Amendola 168/5, 70126 Bari, Italy; e-mail:<f.elia@area.ba.cnr.it>.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: Jim Rich (Chair), University of Florida, 30 Research Road, Quincy FL 32351-9500, USA. Tel: 1-850-875-7130; FAX: 1-850-875-7148; e-mail:<jrich@mail.ifas.ufl.edu> ; Renato N. Inserra, (address under ONTA Newsletter Editors); Nahum Marban-Mendoza Departamento de Parasitologia Agricola, Universidad Autonoma de Chapingo, Montecillo,
Edo. de Mexico,Chapingo 56230,Mexico.email<nahumm@taurus1.chapingo.mx>; Patrick Quénéhervé, ORSTOM Laboratoire de Nématologie, BP 8006-97259 Fort de France Cedex, Martinique (French West Indies). Tel: 596-645750; FAX: 596-717316;e-mail:<queneherve@ird-mq.fr>;Renata C. V. Tenente, EMBRAPA, CENARGEN, Sain Parque Rural, Cx. P. 2372, Brasilia D.F. 70849-970, Brazil. Tel:55-61-348-1623;FAX:55-61-348-4700; e-mail:<renata@cenargen.embrapa.br>.

SUSTAINING MEMBER COMMITTEE: Saad L. Hafez (Chair), University of Idaho, Research & Extension Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma ID 83660, USA; Tel:1-208-722-6701, Ext. 237; FAX: 1-208-722-6708; e-mail: <shafez@uidaho.edu>. Greg J. Burger, ILLOVO Sugar, Ltd., New Product Development, P.O. Box 31003, Merebank 4059, SOUTH AFRICA; Tel: 27-31-450-7700; FAX: 27-31-469-4922; e-mail:<gburger@illovo.co.za>; Ricardo J. Garcia, PMB 82-297, 705 Martens Ct., Laredo TX 78041-6010, USA; Tel:1-52-462-35802; FAX: 1-52-462-36313; e-mail:<central@corporacion-tri-com.mx>; Claudia Riegel, Dow AgroSciences, 8733 Siegen Lane, PMB 372, Baton Rouge LA 70810, USA; Tel:1- 225-767-8073; e-mail:<criegel@dowagro.com>; Richard Steckler, Organic Solutions, L.L.C., 10720 McCune Ave., Los Angeles CA 90034, USA; Tel: 1-877-467-4765; FAX:1-310-838-0337; Ely V. Vea, ENTEK, 6835 Deerpath Road, Suite E, Elkridge MD 21075, USA; Tel: 1-410-579-1633, Ext. 528; FAX: 1-410-579-1633; e-mail:<evea@entekcorp.com>.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE FOR 2002 MEETING: See Fourth Inernational Nematology Congress (FICN) on page 5.

ONTA FOUNDATION COMMITTEE: Charles Overstreet (Chair), Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge LA 70894-5100, USA; Tel: 1-225-388-2186; FAX: 1-225-388-2478; e-mail: <coverstreet@agctr.lsu.edu>; Joseph E. Eger, Dow AgroSciences, 4880 Bay Heron Place, Apt. 213, Tampa FL 33616, USA; Tel:1-813-835-8358; FAX: 1-813-835-4856; e-mail: <jeeger@dowagro.com>; Jenny Escobar, Junin 116 y Panama, Guayaquil Guayas 09-13293, Ecuador; e-mail:<jenny.escobar@aventis.com>; Jim Rich, (see address under Nominations Committee); Marta Susana del Toro, Laboratorio de Nematologia Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Almirante Brown 500, 5505 Chacras de Coria, Luján, Mendoza, Argentina. Tel:54-61-960004, ext.2030; FAX:54-61-960469; e-mail:<mdeltoro@fca.uncu.edu.ar>.

ONTA HOME PAGE COMMITTEE: Aurelio Ciancio (Chair), Istituto di Nematologia Agraria, C.N.R., via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy;Tel:39-80-5484189;FAX:39-80-5484165;e-mail:<e085ac01@area.ba.cnr.it>; Khuong B. Nguyen, Dept. of Ent. and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611-0620, USA Tel: 1-352-392-1901, ext.193; FAX: 1-352-392-0190; e-mail:<kbn@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>; Jimmy Rich (see address under Nominations Committee). Larry W. Duncan, (Coordinator of the electronic version of Nematropica) University of Florida, Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred FL 33850-2299, USA; Tel:1-863-956-1151; FAX: 1-863-956-4631; e-mail: <lwdn@lal.ufl.edu>.