Nematodes (and not the good ones)

Nematodes are whitish, translucent worms, smaler than 1/16 inch. They are barely visible to the naked eye.

The nematode enters plant roots soon after hatching from its egg. It injects toxins and bacteria into the plant, causing tissue to rot and knots to form. Nematodes prefer warm areas and are serious problems on sandy or loamy soils; they can also cause damage on heavy soils. The root-knot nematode inhabits soil, and can live for many years, even when susceptible crops are avoided. Many different species of nematode exist. (remember that beneficial one? He's out there so make sure you get the right one! )

Plants infected with bad nematodes are stunted, and the leaves yellow. If plants do survive to maturity, thry produce low yields. Cells on the roots enlarge grotesquely, forming a protective and nourishing fall known as the root knot. This renders the roots useless in the absorption and translocation of water and nutrients.

Vulnerable plants include snap beans, okra, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and strawberries.

The best control strategy is to use resistant varieties of plants. Tomato varieties are beefmaster, better boy, celebrity, lemon boy, park's whoper, and supersteak hybrid.

Also adding 3 to 4 inches of compost and kelp meal to the soil. This adds a fungi that attack nematodes. Fertilize with fish emulsion which repels nematodes, and plant early in the season. Also use a seaweed extract to repel the pest. Make a yucca drench from yucca extracts and corn oil. Yucca extract is sold as Pent-A-Vate. Add kelp meal or leaf mold because they stimulate fungi that attack the pest.

Use trap crops like castor beans as a decoy. Plant companion crops such as french marigolds which release an nematocidal substance from their roots. Roots of plants such as asparagus, mustards, smartweed, wild chicory, and some species chrysanthemums.

Make sure to cleanup your garden in the fall. Sow rye and turn it over in spring. It seems to do wonders for nematode populations. When turned under, it produces a toxin to nematodes.

Other methods include solarization, heavy mulch, use bleach on tools used in infected soils or you will carry them to new soil, and crop rotation.

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