What Are Nematodes?
Nematodes are typically small roundworms that thrive in virtually all environments throughout the world. They are the largest group of multicellular species in the animal kingdom. Many species are parasites of plants and cause economic losses in a wide variety of food, ornamental and industrial crops. Other species however are beneficial: they may help in the recycling of soil nutrients, or may feed on pathogenic fungi, bacteria, damaging insects or other nematodes. In addition, nematodes can be used as indicators of pollution and are one of the favorite model organisms in studies on molecular genetics. The goal of this workgroup is to develop and extend essential information about parasitic and beneficial nematodes and strategies for managing them.
plant parasitic nematodes feeding on crop root
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Are there variants to Mesocriconema xenoplax in California?
Field trials with grape and peach rootstocks suggested that California isolates of M. xenoplax respond differently on identical cultivars. In this multidisciplinary Workgroup project, different ring nematode populations were compared by a joint examination of morphological and molecular markers.
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Diagnosis and Management of Lesion Nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.)
Lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are important nematode parasites in many crops in California. This Workgroup has addressed a range of issues concerning identification and recognition of damage potential of these pests.
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Plant Parasitic Nematode Thresholds/Damage Levels
Crop damage is typically related to the density of plant-parasitic nematodes at seeding or planting although plant response as well as soil biotic and abiotic factors may modify the injury extent. This Workgroup project compiled damage thresholds for some important nematode pests in California.
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Soil Fumigation & Alternatives Guidelines
This video features a 2007 presentation by Dr. Michael McKenry, Department of Nematology, UC Riverside about soil fumigation and its alternatives useful for tree and vine crops.
Site was last updated on 4/28/08 at 08:47 AM