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SPECIES RECOVERED |
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CONTENTS [Return to Interpreting Nematode Reports] |
Almost
all laboratories will provide a full analysis of all plant-parasitic nematodes found in a
sample. Some labs will assist in making recommendations based on the test report and some
will not, based on the expertise available and the policy of the lab. Liability ultimately
rests with those who make and implement the management decision. So, for the most part,
from this point on, the work is up to the grower and his crop advisers. The first point to remember is that not all nematodes damage mint. You should refer to the section of this manual that discusses nematodes that damage mint. If the nematode on your test report is not discussed in this manual, you should consult your crop advisor or a professional nematologist. In most cases it will not be a species damaging to mint, but there is the chance that it is something new or unique to that area and potentially threatening. Only someone with nematology experience can make that determination. Most routine nematode test reports will list nematodes recovered by their common name or generic name, that is, root-knot vs Meloidogyne. Since species identification is much more difficult, many labs charge an extra fee for species identification and only do it on request. Sometimes species identification is important and sometimes it is not. For example, there is no indication that different species of pin nematodes impact mint differently, so knowing the species identification of the particular pin nematode in a mint field is not important. On the other hand, barley root-knot (Meloidogyne naasi), Columbia root-knot (M. chitwoodi) and northern root-knot (M. hapla) may be found on crops grown in rotation with mint. Thus, any of these nematodes may be present in a sample taken before mint is to be planted. However, only northern root-knot nematode will cause damage to mint. |
