Q. Are these
nematodes on my tomato roots in the picture I sent to you?
nematodes on my tomato roots in the picture I sent to you?
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| Picture sent from reader |
A. Yes, you
have them. Once you have nematodes they are a permanent pest in your vegetable
garden. Your future with them is in managing their new home but you will never
be rid of them.
have them. Once you have nematodes they are a permanent pest in your vegetable
garden. Your future with them is in managing their new home but you will never
be rid of them.
In the past,
soil fumigants were available that would dramatically reduce their numbers and
easily make them manageable. These soil fumigants are no longer available to
homeowners and highly restricted even for commercial applicators due to their
potential in damaging the environment.
soil fumigants were available that would dramatically reduce their numbers and
easily make them manageable. These soil fumigants are no longer available to
homeowners and highly restricted even for commercial applicators due to their
potential in damaging the environment.
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| Root knot nematode on tomato |
There are multiple approaches in
managing nematodes. One way is to exclude them. You can do this by growing
vegetables that are highly susceptible in pots or containers. If the pots or
containers are in direct contact with the soil containing nematodes, the
nematodes will move into the container eventually.
managing nematodes. One way is to exclude them. You can do this by growing
vegetables that are highly susceptible in pots or containers. If the pots or
containers are in direct contact with the soil containing nematodes, the
nematodes will move into the container eventually.
You can impede this by putting down
a layer of coarse gravel on top of the soil and putting the containers on top
of the gravel.
a layer of coarse gravel on top of the soil and putting the containers on top
of the gravel.
If you want to grow in the ground
with nematodes then heavily enriching the soil with organic material such as
high-quality compost will help to deter them. Keeping the soil as healthy as
possible is a great deterrent. Nematodes do not seem to like heavily enriched
soils.
with nematodes then heavily enriching the soil with organic material such as
high-quality compost will help to deter them. Keeping the soil as healthy as
possible is a great deterrent. Nematodes do not seem to like heavily enriched
soils.
Another deterrent is to select
plants that nematodes do not seem to like very much. There are some vegetables
somewhat resistant to nematodes but it is quite lengthy. I will post this list on
my blog but a few of them include broccoli, cauliflower, chives, and many
mustards.
plants that nematodes do not seem to like very much. There are some vegetables
somewhat resistant to nematodes but it is quite lengthy. I will post this list on
my blog but a few of them include broccoli, cauliflower, chives, and many
mustards.
There are other plants which
nematodes really like a lot but plant breeding has produced some varieties
which are resistant to nematodes and a few plant diseases. These varieties have
capital letters such as V,F,T,N after their names which designate their
resistance. The capital N in this case designates nematodes.
nematodes really like a lot but plant breeding has produced some varieties
which are resistant to nematodes and a few plant diseases. These varieties have
capital letters such as V,F,T,N after their names which designate their
resistance. The capital N in this case designates nematodes.
Another method is growing marigolds
in the vegetable plot. The most effective way is to grow a solid stand of
marigolds for at least 2 to 3 months in the planting bed. Turn these marigolds
under the soil so that they decompose. Then plant your vegetables.
in the vegetable plot. The most effective way is to grow a solid stand of
marigolds for at least 2 to 3 months in the planting bed. Turn these marigolds
under the soil so that they decompose. Then plant your vegetables.
Some people grow them on the borders
of the vegetable plot but it is not as effective as growing a solid stand and
turning them under.
of the vegetable plot but it is not as effective as growing a solid stand and
turning them under.
There are some products available
such as Clandosan which gives some benefit and could also be incorporated into
the soil.
such as Clandosan which gives some benefit and could also be incorporated into
the soil.
Thank you very much for your comment.
II introduce beneficial nemadoes every May. Usually about 10 million. They do not rid the garden of these, but I do believe they reduce other the numbers. They also help with other garden pests.