If planting is done when nematodes are not active, plants are able to germinate and develop strong root systems essentially in the absence of nematode pressure. When temperatures increase, the established root systems are not as severely affected by nematodes.
Early planting, however, is often in conflict with recommendations made by entomologists who recommend delaying planting until June to avoid aphid transmitted virus yellows disease.
Another aspect of late planting or planting when soils are warmer, is that late planted fields are typically overwintered. The result is that nematodes continue to develop during the winter and populations at harvest the following spring are higher than if the field had been harvested the previous fall. This results in the field needing to be put into a longer nonhost rotation.