nasty nematodes
Parasitic
nematode species cause
damage to roots, leaving
galls or what are known
as root-knots.”
Scanning electron micrograph of soybean cyst nematode and its egg.
152
Maximum Yield USA | February 2014
Nematodes, or roundworms, are well
adapted to vegetable gardens. They
inhabit a large range of soil types,
compositions and environments,
often surviving extreme temperature
and moisture conditions. There are
an estimated half million or more
species of nematodes and many are
detrimental to pumpkins, tomatoes
and other giant vegetable roots.
Nematodes are slender, nonsegmented worms, commonly less
than 2 mm long. Small nematodes
are microscopic and resemble earth
worms. They have round, slender
digestive systems that allow them to
munch eagerly on roots, but are often
overlooked in garden plots due to
their microscopic size. Many different
kinds of nematodes are present in our
soils and while some plant-specific nematodes are harmful, there are many that are
beneficial for ga &FV