Why have nematodes only become a problem in recent years? Dr. Colin Fleming of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Belfast asks ...
SO YOU THINK YOU HAVE NEMATODES?
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n the August/September issue of Pitchcare, Dr Kate Entwistle discussed the growing problem of plant parasitic nematodes in Europe. Kate described some of the major plant nematodes found in cool season turfgrass and outlined our knowledge regarding the biology and management of these pests, as well as possible interactions with fungal pathogens. In a short series of articles I hope to discuss some of the major issues relating to these increasingly important pests and provide an update on developments in their control and management.
One of the first questions I am asked when visiting a golf course or pitch is “Why have nematodes only become a problem in recent years?” The obvious answer is, of course, that nematodes are found in all soils and they have always caused damage to the plants we grow. Most farmers will be familiar with a
variety of plant parasitic nematodes (eelworm) causing damage to their potatoes, carrots or cereals. Similarly, any greenkeeper who has spent time working in the warmer US states will be able to relate horror stories of damaged greens, complaining golfers and seemingly endless applications of pesticide. The growing nematode problem in the European turfgrass industry may result from a number of factors:
• Nematode problems have been misidentified in the past - it has been argued that nematode damage has been overlooked in the past, with symptoms attributed to other factors including disease, insect pests and physical damage. This could be partly true, but experienced greenkeepers and groundsmen I have spoken with would argue that many current nematode problems are new to the industry
• Increasing use of sand-based constructions or heavy sand top dressing which favour nematode reproduction and increase plant vulnerability to damage - many of the nematodes that attack turfgrasses prefer sandy soils. In addition, the tolerance of grasses to nematode damage normally decreases as the sand content increases. This is due to the lower water holding capacity and higher rate of nutrient leaching in sandy soils
• Changes in nutritional management - some greenkeepers have raised the possibility that the move away from urea based fertilisers and towards foliar feeding may be affecting the soil environment and promoting an rise in nematode problems
• Climate change - the most significant driver behind the increasing level of
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