Meloidogyne spp.
Root-knot nematodes
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Damage to vegetables. Root-knot nematodes
are very damaging to carrots, and are pests of numerous other ornamental
and vegetable crop plants. As the roots are compromised, infested
plants are very susceptible to drought.
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Biology. Juveniles penetrate host roots
where they establish a feeding site. As they develop they develop into
females, they cause root swellings (root-knots). The female is usually
pear-shaped, with a fragile white cuticle, and may be up to 2 mm in diameter.
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Ecology. Root-Knot nematodes are distributed
world-wide.
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Symptoms. In general, localized areas of stunted
plants. Infected carrots are typically forked and malformed. Numerous knots
can be found on the tap root and secondary roots. Strawberry plants
look unhealthy and off-color; roots have large or small galls. Infected
tomato plants are stunted and produce little or no fruit. They wilt conspicuously
in warm weather.
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Damage to other crops. Meloidogyne
species are also damaging pests of potato and sugarbeet.
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Control. Crop rotation with a non-host such
as corn is effective. For infested home gardens, interplanting or
rotating with marigolds will help to suppress populations. Chemical
control can also be effective.
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Links and References. Root-knot
nematode on carrots.
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