Cyst Nematode

(click image to enlarge) Symptoms:
• Circular to oval areas with stunted plants
• Heavily infested plants may show wilting and/or yellowing of the foliage
• Excessive secondary roots
• Mature females (white = alive, brown = dead cysts) on roots

Epidemiology:
• Root exudates of suitable hosts
• Low to moderate soil moisture
• Temperatures from 50-90° F, optimum between 70-80° F
• Spread by soil and irrigation water

Control:
• Sanitation of equipment
• Crop rotation
• Trap and green manure crops
• Tolerant varieties
• Early planting to allow plant establishment before nematodes become active
• Applications of nematicides