NEMATODES

Diseases develop as a result of nematodes causing damage while feeding, and allowing wilt and root rot-producing fungi, bacteria and other nematodes to enter the plant. A nematode-infested plant is more susceptible to drought, cold weather injury, disease and insect attack. Common symptoms of nematode injury include stunting, yellowing, loss of green colour, twig and shoot die-back, temporary wilting and lack of response to general watering and feeding. Mostly nematodes cause poor root health where in other cases root-feeding nematodes show no specific symptoms. Infested plants are weakened and can easily be mistaken for symptoms caused by drought, sunburn, frost, nutrient deficiencies, mite and/or insect damage to roots, leaves, roots or stems, or common diseases such as wilts, crown and root rots.