Root Knot Nematode

JackE · August 12, 2011

Elizabeth - There are tens of thousands of species of nematodes worldwide, most of them harmless, and only a few do agricultural damage. They are a really serious problem in places like Africa - and they could become a major economic problem here as well since methyl bromide fumigant was banned - unless economically viable organic solutuons are found quickly. They're working on it.

Your extension agent will know just what species you have locally. You may have a different species than we do (Meloidogyne incognita and, to a lesser extent M. javanica). But I'm quite sure that the control measures we are discussing here - organic matter and clean fallow - will work as well on one as another.

Just a word from an old-time nematode warrior - don't put too much stock in things like marigolds, brassicas, elbon rye, sweet corn as a trap crop, etc. Those things have always led only to disappointment for me and my neighbors.

It works far better to starve them and dry them out with clean fallow and tillage than to plant cover crops. I would buy commercial compost that has been properly heated and processed and pour it to your garden. It took seven dump truck loads to get a handle on the RKN that infested my wife's 800 sq ft flower garden.

Nematodes cannot function in a compost-rich environment - that's all you need to do - change your growing medium from sand/dirt to compost, dry it out real good in the sun every couple of years and add more compost as necessary. Landscaping suppliers have good compost and they'll deliver and spread it as well. Don't scrimp - better too much than too little. The best home gardens around here, including my wife's, are pretty much pure compost.

Jack

One additional note - Elizabeth, The live fungus product from Certus USA, which they call "Melo-Con", does not have a short shelf life but it must be kept frozen until it's applied. It is currently available only from commercial suppliers in large quantities, but I see no reason, if it proves as effective as advertised, that it can't be stocked in retail stores - as long as it's kept in a freezer.
It comes from tropical Africa and turns the ground purple as it devours nematodes - I can see the movie title now -ATTACK OF THE FUNGUS FROM HELL. lol

August 12, 2011	#18
JackE Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Woodville, Texas Posts: 520	Elizabeth - There are tens of thousands of species of nematodes worldwide, most of them harmless, and only a few do agricultural damage. They are a really serious problem in places like Africa - and they could become a major economic problem here as well since methyl bromide fumigant was banned - unless economically viable organic solutuons are found quickly. They're working on it. Your extension agent will know just what species you have locally. You may have a different species than we do (Meloidogyne incognita and, to a lesser extent M. javanica). But I'm quite sure that the control measures we are discussing here - organic matter and clean fallow - will work as well on one as another. Just a word from an old-time nematode warrior - don't put too much stock in things like marigolds, brassicas, elbon rye, sweet corn as a trap crop, etc. Those things have always led only to disappointment for me and my neighbors. It works far better to starve them and dry them out with clean fallow and tillage than to plant cover crops. I would buy commercial compost that has been properly heated and processed and pour it to your garden. It took seven dump truck loads to get a handle on the RKN that infested my wife's 800 sq ft flower garden. Nematodes cannot function in a compost-rich environment - that's all you need to do - change your growing medium from sand/dirt to compost, dry it out real good in the sun every couple of years and add more compost as necessary. Landscaping suppliers have good compost and they'll deliver and spread it as well. Don't scrimp - better too much than too little. The best home gardens around here, including my wife's, are pretty much pure compost. Jack One additional note - Elizabeth, The live fungus product from Certus USA, which they call "Melo-Con", does not have a short shelf life but it must be kept frozen until it's applied. It is currently available only from commercial suppliers in large quantities, but I see no reason, if it proves as effective as advertised, that it can't be stocked in retail stores - as long as it's kept in a freezer. It comes from tropical Africa and turns the ground purple as it devours nematodes - I can see the movie title now -ATTACK OF THE FUNGUS FROM HELL. lol Last edited by JackE; August 12, 2011 at 03:51 PM.