| Problem |
Plant Parasitic Nematode Types |
| Host Grass Types |
All turf types |
| Symptons |
Visual signs of a nematode infestation will vary. Generally a patchy yellow discolouration to the turf is seen with a weakening and thinning of the sward. Damage to the plant root system will affect nutrient uptake. Wear tolerance and disease resistance decline |
Background information
There are many types of nematode (round worm) living naturally in our soils. They can be free living, or parasitic. The Plant Parasitic Nematode (PPN) can, on occasion cause severe problems for amenity turf. There are a large number of PPN’s all with different modes of lifecycle and attack. PPNs can be Ecto-parasitic: they live in the plant and feed internally, or Endo-parasitic : they live in the rootzone and feed on the root externally.
Ectoparasitic, for example
- Stubby root nematode - Paratrichodorus Spp
- Stunt nematode - Tylenchorhynchus Spp
- Sheath nematode - Hemicycliophora Spp
Endoparasitic, for example
- Root knot nematode - Meloidogyne Spp
- Cyst nematode - Heterodera Spp
- Lesion nematode - Pratylenchus Spp
Management strategies to help manage nematode attack
- Understand what is present and in what numbers: send soil samples to established laboratory for a nematode count
- Apply a foliar feed – where you suspect rooting is compromised
- Utilise SMX WSF within your annual nutrition programme. SMX has been independently shown to maintain plant health whilst suffering from high nematode pressure
- Nematode symptoms often appear when turf is under stress, act preventatively and work at increasing your turf rootmass and reducing overall plant stress by utilising an iTurf approach
- Reduce turf stress where possible – raise height of cut, maintain good, but not excessive rootzone moisture, use balanced nutrition as part of a programmed approach, reduce intensity of maintenance; grooming, verticutting, monitor rootzone pH and adjust management where necessary to keep within optimum range