Nematode Management

By Yi Li, Yetian Cai, Weizhe Weng, Johan Desaeger, and Zhengfei Guan

The economic performance of pest management practices is a critical factor when farmers make adoption decisions. Partial budget analysis is a widely used tool to evaluate the financial effects of different management practices in agricultural production. It provides an economic rationale for selecting the optimal treatment by evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the treatment. This publication explains how to employ partial budget analysis using a real-world example. It provides a step-by-step guide examining the costs and benefits of two different approaches, fumigation and nematicides, to manage nematodes on Florida's tomato farms.

Johan Desaeger, Hung X. Bui, andJoseph W. Noling

Plant-parasitic nematodes are small microscopic roundworms that live in the soil and attack the roots of plants. Crop production problems induced by nematodes therefore generally occur as a result of root dysfunction; nematodes reduce rooting volume and the efficiency with which roots forage for and use water and nutrients. Many different genera and species of nematodes can be important to crop production in Florida. In many cases a mixed community of plant-parasitic nematodes is present in a field, rather than having a single species occurring alone. Most cucurbits are extremely susceptible to root nematodes and also are often damaged by sting nematodes; other nematodes occasionally cause some losses.

Johan Desaeger andJoseph W. Noling

Plant parasitic nematodes are small microscopic roundworms that live in the soil and attack the roots of plants. Crop production problems induced by nematodes, therefore, generally occur as a result of root dysfunction, reducing rooting volume and foraging and utilization efficiency of water and nutrients. Many different genera and species of nematodes can be important to crop production in Florida.

Romy Krueger, Robert McSorley, andZane J. Grabau

The objectives of this publication are to provide information on plant-parasitic nematodes causing damage in organic agriculture and to introduce methods for their management. The intended audience is agricultural professionals and anyone producing agricultural products organically.

Mengyi Gu andJohan Desaeger

Florida leads the commercial production of caladiums, a popular ornamental. In Florida, root-knot, sting, and stubby root nematodes are found in caladium fields. Root-knot nematodes are considered the most important of all pests in caladiums that are grown in sand. This publication will help caladium growers understand what plant-parasitic nematodes are and current nematode management strategies for the caladium industry.

Peter DiGennaro
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.