FIELD AND VEGETABLE CROPS

On many field and vegetable crops, root knot nematodes cause infections that result in a retardation of growth starting in early to midseason, when plants appear to lag behind the growth of normal, healthy plants in uninfested areas. Both plant height and canopy are reduced and fewer fruits are formed; thus fewer, smaller cotton bolls are produced on a heavily infested plant and in tomatoes fewer, smaller fruits are produced. Plant stress usually becomes heightened with fruit development, when the greatest demand is made on the root system to provide nutrients and water; at this time, severely infested and highly susceptible plants may actually die.

In some cases root knot nematode infections may cause a cosmetic problem rather than growth reduction. In an infection of carrots, for example, very few nematodes attacking the root system can cause disfiguration through galling and splitting of the tap root, rendering the plant unsaleable.

From: McKenry, M.V. and P. A. Roberts. 1985. Phytonematology Study Guide. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Publication 4045.

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