St. Johns County Agricultural Agent Dwight K. Jesseman St. Johns County Agricultural Agent
Nematology Basic Principles for Master Gardeners
Types of Nematodes Plant Parasitic Predatory Entomophagous Free Living Marine
Plant Parasitic
Predatory
Entomophagous
Free Living
Marine
Morphology and Anatomy Animals Round Worms Size 0.25mm to 3.0mm Layered Cuticle Vermiform, Globose, Kidney Shaped
Layered Cuticle
Vermiform
Globose
Kidney Shaped
Life Cycle and Reproduction Egg - 50 to 500 Four Juvenile Stages Adult Male and Female in Most Species Life Cycle Dependant on Soil Temperatures Move Slowly
Egg and Juvenile
Feeding Oral Stylet or Spear Inject Enzymes Digest Cell Contents
Oral Stylet
Host- Parasite Relationship Migratory Ectoparasitic Ring, Spiral Migratory Endoparasitic Lesion, Burrowing Sedentary Endoparasitic Root-Knot, Cyst, Reniform, Citrus
Migratory Ectoparasitic
Migratory Endoparasitic
Sedentary Endoparasitic
Diagnoses Very Difficult at Times Poor Growth Combination of Problems Assay of Soil and/or Plant Tissue Symptoms
Above-Ground Rarely Sufficient Chlorosis Dieback Melting out Reduced Growth Water Stressed
Reduced Growth
Below-Ground Root Galls Root Swellings Abbreviated Root System Root Rot Cyst Nematodes
Root Galls
Abbreviated Root System
Cyst Nematodes
Field History Gradual Decline Area - Small to Large Rotation of Crops
Laboratory Assay Soil and Plant Tissue Relative Population Densities Economic Thresholds
Nematode Management Prevention Crop Rotation Crop Root Destruction Flooding and Fallowing Resistance Biological Control Nematicides
Home Garden Container Growing Site Selection Crop Rotation Soil Tillage and Root Destruction Amendments Organic Matter Green Manures
Home Garden Planting Time Nematode - Free Transplants Resistant Varieties Soil Solarization Chemical Control
Soil Solarization Cover for at least 4 weeks Well Tilled High Moisture Slightly Raised Beds Crown the Bed
Soil Solarization Clear Polyethylene Thin Plastic 1 to 2 mil Leave in Place Until Planting Avoid Contaminated Plants or Soil
Soil Temperatures Tarped Soils 111 to 122 115 - Water Molds 120 - Nematodes 140 - Most Fungi 150 - Most Soil Insects 160 - Most Viruses and Bacteria 170 - Most Weed Seeds
Ornamentals Site Preparation Treat Soil Replace Infested Soil Fumigation Soil Solarazition Replace Infested Soil Root Barriers
Ornamentals Nematode-Free Stock Well Adapted Plants Resistant Plants Maintenance Mulches Other Pests Chemical Control
Turf Biological Controls Resistant Plants Chemical Control Fumigation Before Planting
Resistance Bahiagrasses - Tolerant of Most Centipedegrasses - Ring, Sting, Sheath St. Augustinegrasses -Sting, Lance Bermudagrasses - Sting, Lance, Stubby Zoysiagrasses - Most nematodes
Basimid Granular Use Compost Piles Potting Soils Seed and Propagation Beds Soil Media Establishing Turf and Ornamental Sites Not for Use in Vegetable Gardens READ THE LABEL, IT IS THE LAW
Questions