Plant Nematology Laboratory
573-884-9118
Sampling for plant-parasitic nematodes
Soybean cyst nematode
- Dig roots and examine for presence of cysts from soybean
flowering throughout growing season.
- Sample soil from harvest until time of seed purchase. Nematode levels are
highest following a soybean crop and at the end of the season. High levels
will increase the chance of detecting the nematodes.
Corn nematodes
Needle and sting
- Root-associated nematodes found in early spring where they cause plant
stunting
Other plant-parasitic nematodes
- Highest levels are found at the end of the growing season. The levels of
these nematodes decrease when growing plants are absent, making detection difficult
and unreliable as a predictor of problems in the next growing season.
Cotton nematodes
- See other plant-parasitic nematodes under corn nematodes.
Root-knot nematodes
- Look for the presence of galls on the roots at the end of the season.
- Sample soil at the end of the growing season but before the plants senesce.
Golf green nematodes
- Nematode levels are highest when the plants are under stress. In Missouri
this often occurs around July 4th.
The lab checks only for presence or absence of the following plant-parasitic
nematodes.
Pinewood nematodes
- Sample branches greater than one inch in diameter or the tree trunk of symptomatic
trees.
Foliar nematodes
- Submit symptomatic foliage.
Root-knot nematodes
Updated
3/29/05
