Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

Nematodes
Unsegmented worms Usually microscopic Phylum Nematoda

Nematodes Many different groups and habits:

Decomposers Predators Insect parasites Animal parasites (often host-specific) Plant parasites Others (freshwater, marine, etc.)

Nematodes Many different groups and habits:

Decomposers Predators Insect parasites Animal parasites Plant parasites Others

19% 8% 33% 7% 33%

Poinar, 1983

Nematodes Many different groups and habits:

Decomposers Predators Beneficials in ag Insect parasites Animal parasites Pests in ag Plant parasites Others (freshwater, marine, etc.)

Plant Parasitic Nematodes Habits and Habitat

Ectoparasites = many kinds inhabit soil around plant roots, feed on roots Endoparasites = some kinds enter roots (bulbs, and other below-ground plant parts) and feed internally Semi-endoparasites = partially enter into roots Foliar nematodes = a few kinds enter aboveground plant tissue (leaves, seeds, stems)

Foliar Nematode Symptoms on Hibiscus Leaves Note restriction by leaf veins

Symptoms many are typical of plants with root damage:

Yield loss Stunting Yellowing Water deficiency and wilting Nutrient deficiency Some direct damage (knots on roots, misshapen potatoes, peanuts, etc.)

Severe Stunting of Corn Plants by Nematodes

Galls or Knots on Root System

Life Cycle
Rapid life cycles (30 days at summer temp.) Can build quickly to high numbers Many species are good r-strategists

Nematode Damage depends on:

Kind of nematodes present Numbers of nematodes present Environment Other organisms present

Nematode Damage depends on:

Kind of nematodes present Numbers of nematodes present Environment Other organisms present

Root Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)

Most important and damaging nematode in southeast US and tropics Produce typical gall or knot symptoms on plant roots

Root-knot nematodes are widespread key pests on most crops

Root-Knot Nematode Life Cycle

Juvenile nematode moves freely in soil Enters root and moves to feeding site

Root-Knot Nematode Juvenile in Root becomes immobile at feeding site

Root-Knot Nematode Female

Immobile nematode increases to large size

Root-Knot Female (with many eggs) breaks through root surface; Eggs and juveniles continue cycle in soil

Root-knot nematodes females cause the galls seen on roots

Some Other Important Nematodes

Soybean Cyst Nematode in midwest US Burrowing Nematode on bananas in tropics

Nematode Damage depends on:

Kind of nematodes present Numbers of nematodes present Environment Other organisms present

Numbers of nematodes present

Tolerance Limit

Nematode Damage depends on:

Kind of nematodes present Numbers of nematodes present Environment (temp., moisture, heat units, soil type, etc.) Other organisms present (wounding of roots can lead to possible interactions with plant diseases)

Nematode Management
Except for root-knot, usually need soil sample to confirm that nematodes are present

Nematode Management
Soilborne pest, usually site specific Nematodes dont migrate freely like insects Hard to get to new sites Once present, always present

Nematode Management
Management is often before planting Populations build up rapidly on susceptible crops Usually cant react to populations on established crops, as with insects

Sanitation = avoid introducing pests to new locations

Clean soil Clean planting material Clean equipment Destroy/remove residues of infected plants

Sanitation
Nematodes move easily on infected planting material

Host Plant Resistance

Very important since some crops and cultivars are poor hosts Resistance = low nematode reproduction on the plant Tolerance = plant withstands nematode damage

Nematicides
Fumigants or nonfumigants Some fumigants are multipurpose = affect insects, weeds, fungi as well + + Effective and consistent - - Can easily enter soil (and water) environment (targets are soil pests) - - Methyl bromide enters atmosphere

Crop Rotation
Reduces populations in a site by growing a poor or non host Doesnt eliminate nematodes (low numbers may persist for several years) Objective is to lower numbers enough so that next susceptible crop is successful

Vetch Cover Crop with Weed Hosts

Weeds can carry nematodes through crop rotations

Fallow
Clean, weed-free fallow is a possible rotation + + Starves nematodes, if 100% free of weeds - - Serious problems with soil erosion, runoff, etc.

Heat
Pasteurization or steaming of soil Solarization

Biological Control
Few successful examples of introduced control (difficult to introduce organisms into soil environment) Natural biological control agents present in most soils

Pasteuria on Sting Nematode

Common bacterial parasite that attacks nematodes

Nematode-trapping Fungi
Experiment I

Adhesive knobs

Dactylaria brochopaga

Potential in Biocontrol
Arthrobotrys oligospora

Organic Amendments
Decomposition products may affect some nematodes Improve environment for biological control Amendments can benefit plant health

Organic Amendments
Decomposition products may affect some nematodes Improve environment for biological control Amendments can benefit plant health Amendments can benefit plant whether nematodes are present or not --- they contain N and other plant nutrients !

Nematode Management other methods:

Improved plant health by adding water, fertilizer, amendments, mulch, etc. Manipulate planting dates Remove weed hosts Etc

Nematode Management = No Quick Answers

Cant eliminate nematodes No nematicides available for many crops

References
Text, pp. 196-201. Andrews, J.H., and I. Tommerup. 1995. Advances in Plant Pathology. Vol. 11. Academic Press, San Diego. Ch. 8. Barker, K.R. et al. 1998. Plant and Nematode Interactions. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. Poinar, G.O. 1983. The Natural History of Nematodes. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.