A HOME GARDEN ROTATION SCHEME TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE FROM ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE:

Illustrated below is an example of a three year management sequence which utilizes cultural practices to minimize damage in a home garden infested with root-knot nematode. It is adapted from page 178 of University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources publication number 3332: Pests of the Garden and Small Farm.

The garden is divided into three sections (A, B, and C).
In the summer, one section is fallow, one is planted with nematode resistant tomatoes, and susceptible crops can be planted in the third.
In the winter, two sections are left fallow, and the third can be planted to susceptible crops.
Typically, nematode populations decline during fallow and the growing of nematode resistant tomatoes.
Populations are maintained during the planting of winter crops, and increase on most summer crops other than resistant tomatoes.
Many weeds are also hosts for root-knot nematode, so fallow areas and plantings of resistant tomatoes should be kept as weed free as possible.
Amending the soil with compost, and/or composted manure before planting susceptible crops can also help to minimize damage.
Amendment would be very important the first summer for Section C because nematode populations would still be high from the previous summer crop.

	FIRST YEAR		SECOND YEAR		THIRD YEAR
	FALL/ WINTER	SPRING/ SUMMER	FALL/ WINTER	SPRING/ SUMMER	FALL/ WINTER	SPRING/ SUMMER
SECTION A	Weed Free Fallow	Nematode Resistant Tomatoes	Other Crops	Other Crops	Weed Free Fallow	Weed Free Fallow
SECTION B	Other Crops	Weed Free Fallow	Weed Free Fallow	Nematode Resistant Tomatoes	Weed Free Fallow	Other Crops
SECTION C	Weed Free Fallow	Other Crops (with soil amended to reduce damage)	Weed Free Fallow	Weed Free Fallow	Other Crops	Nematode Resistant Tomatoes

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