Are Nematodes Causing Long-Term Crop Damage?

The thought of nematodes might send shivers down your spine, and many of them definitely send shivers right down to your roots.

There are thousands of nematode species, which are tiny worm-like creatures that exist under the soil, and they’re not all bad, but plant parasitic nematodes are the enemies we need to be aware of to prevent long-term damage to crops.

Harmful nematodes cover a wide spectrum, including migratory or sedentary types, and they feed on the outside or inside the roots of plants with a needle-like mouth that penetrates root tissues, which causes loss of vigor and yield in crops. Many crops could potentially recover after a season of plant-parasitic nematode damage, but permanent specialty crops including berries (blueberries and strawberries), citrus, tree nuts, tree fruit, and wine grapes run the risk of long-term damage that can inhibit growth, yield, and revenue to the detriment of growers.

Know What’s Below Your Soil

Unfortunately, many harmful nematodes love permanent crops because the roots act as long-term room and board for them.

Perennial crops often have increased numbers of nematodes associated with their root systems more specifically as the plants age. For example, nematodes such as Pratylenchus spp. (lesion nematodes) can reach such high numbers that replanting following removal of older trees or vines can result in a reduced vigor, stunting or even death of the replant because of the excessive damage by the high population of nematodes in the soil.

For this reason, growers should regularly test for nematodes during the life of trees and vines.

Read More about crop-damage and how MeloCon^® can help reduce the incidence of nematodes.