Nematode Management for Nematode Management for Landscape OrnamentalsLandscape Ornamentals

William T. CrowWilliam T. Crow

Landscape NematologistLandscape Nematologist

University of FloridaUniversity of Florida

What are nematodes?What are nematodes?

• Unsegmented roundwormsUnsegmented roundworms

• AquaticAquatic

• SmallSmall

Where do nematodes live?Where do nematodes live?

““Good”-vs-“Bad” nematodesGood”-vs-“Bad” nematodes

• Bacterial feedersBacterial feeders

• Fungal feedersFungal feeders

• PredatorsPredators

• Animal-parasitesAnimal-parasites

• Plant-parasitesPlant-parasites

““Good guys”Good guys”

““Bad guys”Bad guys”

Steinernema scapterisciSteinernema scapterisci

*Commercially available Fall, 2001*Commercially available Fall, 2001

Predatory nematodesPredatory nematodes

MmmmTastes like chicken!!

Plant-parasitic nematodesPlant-parasitic nematodes

StyletStylet

Plant-parasitic nematodesPlant-parasitic nematodes

• Ectoparasites – outside rootsEctoparasites – outside roots• Endoparasites – inside rootsEndoparasites – inside roots

Nematode life cycle - eggNematode life cycle - egg

Nematode life cycle - hatchingNematode life cycle - hatching

Ectoparasites- feedingEctoparasites- feeding

Ectoparasites- feedingEctoparasites- feeding

Stylet

EndoparasitesEndoparasites

Migratory endoparasitesMigratory endoparasites

Nematodes

NematodeNematodeeggseggs

Sedentary endoparasitesSedentary endoparasites

NematodeNematode

Egg massEgg mass

Above-ground symptoms of Above-ground symptoms of root nematodesroot nematodes

• WiltingWilting• YellowingYellowing• StuntingStunting• ThinningThinning• DeathDeath

WiltingWilting

Incipient WiltingIncipient Wilting

DecliningDeclining

Yellowing, stuntingYellowing, stunting

With nematodes Without nematodesWith nematodes Without nematodes

Yellowing foliageYellowing foliage

ThinningThinning

Sparse canopySparse canopy

Root-knot Root-knot nematodes on nematodes on bottlebrushbottlebrush

Thinning, decliningThinning, declining

Sparse canopySparse canopy

Root-knot Root-knot nematodes on nematodes on pittosporumpittosporum

Damage in patchesDamage in patches

Root-knot nematodes on boxwoodRoot-knot nematodes on boxwood

Root-knot nematodeRoot-knot nematode

• Sedentary endoparasiteSedentary endoparasite• Causes root gallsCauses root galls• Rotting rootsRotting roots

Root-knot nematode gallsRoot-knot nematode galls

With nematodes Without nematodes

Root-knot galls on impatiensRoot-knot galls on impatiens

Root-knot galls on asparagus Root-knot galls on asparagus fernfern

GallsGalls

Storage rootsStorage roots

Root-knot galls on ligustrumRoot-knot galls on ligustrum

Root-knot galls on wax myrtleRoot-knot galls on wax myrtle

Other sedentary Other sedentary endoparasitesendoparasites

• ReniformReniform

• CitrusCitrus

• CystCyst

Reniform nematodes

Reniform nematodesReniform nematodes

NematodesNematodes

““Sticky”Sticky”egg massegg mass

Reniform Reniform nematode nematode damage to damage to

rootsroots

Without nematodes With nematodesWithout nematodes With nematodes

Migratory endoparasitesMigratory endoparasites

• Migratory Migratory endoparasitesendoparasites

• Lesions on roots Lesions on roots and and belowground belowground structuresstructures

• Discoloration Discoloration and rotting of and rotting of rootsroots

Lesion nematode

Burrowing nematode

Amaryllis with lesion Amaryllis with lesion nematodesnematodes

LesionsLesions

RottingRotting

Amaryllis with lesion Amaryllis with lesion nematodesnematodes

LesionsLesions

Lesion nematodesLesion nematodes

LesionsLesions

Lesion nematodes on Easter lilyLesion nematodes on Easter lily

RottingRotting

Burrowing nematodes on Burrowing nematodes on bananabanana

Burrowing Burrowing nematodes nematodes on palmson palms

RottingRotting

Spreading declineSpreading decline

Citrus slump on limeCitrus slump on lime

EctoparasitesEctoparasites

• StingSting

• Stubby-rootStubby-root

• SheathSheath

• AwlAwl

• SpiralSpiral

Abbreviated “stubby” rootsAbbreviated “stubby” roots

Abbreviated “stubby” roots

Nematode diagnosisNematode diagnosis

• The only way to determine if nematodes The only way to determine if nematodes are a problem is with a nematode assayare a problem is with a nematode assay

• This is usually a separate test, and must This is usually a separate test, and must be submitted separately from a standard be submitted separately from a standard disease sampledisease sample

University of Florida Nematode University of Florida Nematode Assay LabAssay Lab

Building 78, Mowry Rd.Building 78, Mowry Rd.

PO Box 110820PO Box 110820

Gainesville, FL 32611-0820Gainesville, FL 32611-0820

$12$12

Nematode Nematode Sample KitSample Kit

Nematode managementNematode management

• Sanitation – “an ounce of prevention is worth a Sanitation – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” pound of cure” (Quote by Dr. Crow’s Mamma, used with (Quote by Dr. Crow’s Mamma, used with permission).permission).

• Plant parasitic nematodes are moved in Plant parasitic nematodes are moved in infested planting material, soil, or water.infested planting material, soil, or water.

Root-knot nematode gallsRoot-knot nematode galls

Nematode management Nematode management - Sanitation -- Sanitation -

• Clean equipment after useClean equipment after use

• Replace soilReplace soil

• Disinfest soilDisinfest soil

Nematode managementNematode management-Chemicals--Chemicals-

• Preplant soil fumigation Preplant soil fumigation with Dazometwith Dazomet

Soil SolarizationSoil Solarization

• Damp (not saturated) soilDamp (not saturated) soil• Clear plastic tarpClear plastic tarp• High temperatures (June, High temperatures (June,

July)July)• 1 to 2 months1 to 2 months

Replace contaminated soilReplace contaminated soil

Give the plants a head startGive the plants a head start

• Doesn’t last foreverDoesn’t last forever

Root barriersRoot barriers

• Keep clean roots from growing into Keep clean roots from growing into contaminated soilcontaminated soil

• Keep contaminated roots from growing Keep contaminated roots from growing into clean soilinto clean soil

Alternative plantingAlternative planting

• If a nematode-resistant or nematode-If a nematode-resistant or nematode-tolerant plant can identified it should be tolerant plant can identified it should be used.used.

Woody ornamental plants that Woody ornamental plants that are commonly damaged by are commonly damaged by

root-knot nematodes in Floridaroot-knot nematodes in Florida

• Butterfly bushButterfly bush• HibiscusHibiscus• BoxwoodBoxwood• GardeniaGardenia• PittosporumPittosporum

• IxoraIxora

• Japanese hollyJapanese holly

• RoseRose

• LantanaLantana

Annual bedding plants that are Annual bedding plants that are commonly damaged by root-commonly damaged by root-

knot nematodes in Floridaknot nematodes in Florida

• ColeusColeus• SnapdragonSnapdragon• PetuniaPetunia• VerbenaVerbena

• PansyPansy• PortulacaPortulaca• DianthusDianthus• ImpatiensImpatiens

Choose adapted plantsChoose adapted plants

• The better the overall health of the The better the overall health of the plant, the better its ability to plant, the better its ability to withstand nematode pressurewithstand nematode pressure

For information on nematodes, For information on nematodes, nematode management, sampling nematode management, sampling procedures, or help interpreting procedures, or help interpreting

lab results contact:lab results contact:

Dr. Billy Crow, Landscape Nematologist Dr. Billy Crow, Landscape Nematologist University of FloridaUniversity of Florida

P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611

(352) 392-1901 X 138(352) 392-1901 X 138

wtcr@ufl.eduwtcr@ufl.edu

For information on submitting For information on submitting samples to the UF Nematode Assay samples to the UF Nematode Assay Lab, or to check on the status of a Lab, or to check on the status of a

submitted sample contact:submitted sample contact:

Mr. Frank Woods, Senior BiologistMr. Frank Woods, Senior Biologist

University of FloridaUniversity of Florida

P.O. Box 110820, Gainesville, FL 32611P.O. Box 110820, Gainesville, FL 32611

(352) 392-1994(352) 392-1994

few@gnv.ifas.ufl.edufew@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

On-line resourcesOn-line resources

• Nematode management guideNematode management guide– http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MENU_NGhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MENU_NG

• Featured creaturesFeatured creatures– http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/