Pathogen Information
Nematodesare microscopic paracites that are for the most part beneifical with come being used to control pests and diseases. However there are harmful ones that can cause symptoms in plants such as
- galling on the roots
- distorted leaves that turn yellow
- older branches begin dying back
- symptoms can appear as nutrient deficiencies
Environmental Conditions
- Nematodescan befound in every part of the plant. they are a microscopic and diverse group of organisms that has managed to conquer every contienent of the plant to include antartica.
- beneifical nematodes eat at the larva of pest such as rootflies, japanese beetles, and ants. some of thes can include H. bacteriaphora, S. carpocapsae, and S. feltiae
- harmful nematodes attack the plants root system . some of the Root-knot nematodes, lesion nematodes stinging nematodes.
Disease Progression
Early Stage
damage will not be visible at first as the nematode infect the root system
Mid Stage
Leave will turn yellow and branches will die back
Late Stage
As the plant dies back the root swell up and the colony lays eggs and goes dormant until it finds a new host
Prevention Methods
- maintain proper sanitation
- Maintain proper plant spacing
- Remove and destroy infected plant debris
- Use disease-free seeds and resistant varieties
- Rotate crops with non-susceptible plants
Treatment Options
- Apply neem oil or neem seed meal
- Beneficial nematodes
- Fosthiazate nematicide
