Nematodes are microscopic, wormlike creatures which inhabit the soil and damage the roots of plants, impairing their ability to take up water and nutrients. Symptoms of this damage include stunting, yellowing of plant leaves, and loss of plant vitality.
What is the main symptom of nematode damage?
In general, symptoms consist of greatly reduced root systems with short, stubby roots having dark, shrunken lesions, particularly at the tips. If the root tip is destroyed, new roots may be produced above the damaged area, resulting in a highly-branched appearance (Figure 3).
What are some negative effects caused by nematodes on their environment?
Besides field and vegetable crops, nematodes damage fruit trees, forest trees, lawns, golf courses, ornamental flowers, shrubs, and home garden plants. It is impossible to determine the economic benefits of controlling nematodes on these plants, but estimates are in the billions of dollars.
Can nematodes become a problem?
Root damage caused by nematodes can result in yellowing of leaves on infected plants. Figure 5. Root damage caused by nematodes can result in stunting of infected plants. Nematode management requires long-term planning.
Do nematodes cause major damage to roots?
Nematodes–especially root-knot nematodes–cause major losses in vegetable crops in commercial farms, greenhouses, and home gardens in North Carolina. Root-knot nematodes are microscopic roundworms that can pierce the roots of certain plant species and lay their eggs inside the roots.
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