Soil nematodes

[Nigel]

Our agriculture ministry are becoming obsessed with soil nematodes.

Does anybody have experience with soil nematodes and palms, and in particular how to treat and eradicate the blasted things.

Any replies appreciated.

[Gaston in Argentina]

Hello Nigel.

There´s nematocide here that is a liquid.- Is used for agricultural purpose (potatoes farms etc) around the palm soil, but i dont true would kill all but would reduce que quantities.-

That i know nematodes are something as very little microscopics worms and live in all the soils, not sure if they arent so bad or good because are involved in the organic descomposition but if dangeroud if they are so abundant in wich case eat the plants roots. I would undestand your ministry can be worry for foreing nematodes species.-.

Here we need to put by order of our ministry in the palms quarantine.-

Im not sure what im telling, heres in use for palms just because is obligatory and have read something of the label of the product.-

Let´s hear another comments from the friends in the US.-

Saludos. Gaston

[Tyrone]

Soil nematodes are only a problem in low fertility soil such as beach sand. If the soil is amended with humus the nematodes get preyed on by other organisms that keep them in check.

regards

Tyrone

[ariscott]

Nematodes and palms? I don't think they bother palm, do they? We have BAD nematodes here as well. We had to grow vegies (tomatoes, capsicum, etc, etc) on raised beds or huge big pots, otherwise the nematodes will get them. But, I never have any problem with them on my palms. Termites, on the other hand....  

Regards, Ari

[Really full garden]

I had nematode problems with Heliconia Jamaica Dwarf.I dug up the heliconias and treated with a systemic insecticide.The area where they were planted I covered with clear plastic.The soil really heats up!It takes about a month to really kill them.The chemicals to kill nematode are extremely toxic.I dont know what is worse the nematodes or the treatment.

                                                                            Scott

[Nigel]

I read that 40C will kill nematodes but not the eggs.

How hot can a pot get before roots are damaged ?

Gaston, I suspect you are referring to Furadan , but it isnt effective enough.

[Dypsisdean]

This is not an easy question. Here are a few facts I dug up.

- "Current estimates of the number of nematode species on earth are between 1-5 million."

- "There are four main types of Nematodes depending on their food source: Herbivores, Fungivores, Omnivores, Bacterivores"

And what is said about a particularly troubling type:

- "The host range of root-knot nematodes is so extensive that it is difficult to find common landscape and garden plants that are not hosts. Even some palm trees are susceptible to root-knot nematodes."

[sonoranfans]

(Tyrone @ Sep. 16 2007,08:37)

QUOTE

Soil nematodes are only a problem in low fertility soil such as beach sand. If the soil is amended with humus the nematodes get preyed on by other organisms that keep them in check.

regards

Tyrone

I recall reading something along the lines of this statement years ago.  Humus or humic acid treatments should help keep the balance.  I also read that nematocides kill the beneficial bugs and the bad ones, so they tend to damage the soil fertility.  Nemaodes can be a problem in arizona according to the university of arizona horticultural dept.  Ammendment of the clay soils here with compost and sand is the suggested treatment for prevention.  The also stated that sick palms, those grown in poor soil conditions are most at risk.

[Kris]

Dear Nigel  

i was told that there are beneficial nemathods too,so i purschased this Bio-organic cure to soil related problems but i have not used this box yet !

here is a still of that_

[Nigel]

There is good and bad nematodes. My problem is how to eradicate them totally to meet plant health rules.

[malcthomas]

Nigel

A few years ago my brother worked for BASF as a horticultural researcher and he supplied me with one of their products for a nurseryman friend of mine who was having problems with nematodes.  It was very toxic stuff, came in a metal container and required the user to be fully kitted up with gloves and spray mask.  I can email him for the name if you want.

I presume that this problem of yours relates to the import requirements for bringing in rooted palms and the fear of introducing nematodes harmful to your poatato crops and the like.  

My experience with nematodes and palm seedlings concerned cold wet potting mix.  Watering as little as possible in winter helped.

regards..Malcolm

[Nigel]

Malcolm, trying to head off problems before they happen......... if there is way to treat this problem at source I need it, or the financial loss involved can be quite massive.

The UK have destroyed many many containers from all over the world this year because of nematodes, and issued a warning to all importers to heed their warning and consider financial risks to their businesses.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Plants grown in the US to be shipped are grown on benches where the pot never touches the ground.  Start with sterile pots and media.  Treat the water.  Once the pot gets nematodes, I don't think there is a reasonable way to eradicate it from an entire crop.  You need to talk to Hawaii and California exporters, Maybe Phil B.

Jerry

[PalmGuyWC]

Nigel, Re: nematodes

There is a product produced by Bayer called Temik.  You can pull up more information about this product on the web. Temik is an extreamly toxic poison and must be used with great caution, but it will kill namatodes. It's a systemic adsorbed by the roots of plants and it is effective with just about any insect that bites into the plant.

It was once available in the USA to nurserymen, but it required a permit to get it.  I believe it has been banned in the the USA, or certain states because it is so toxic and dangerous. Apparently it does't break down very fast. As stated in the web literature, one of the precursors in the poison is methyl isocyanate which is the poison that killed thousands in the Bhopal, India accident.

Temik is very effective to be used on ornimental plants but should definately not be used for any plants to be consumed by mamals including humans. In 1985 a thousand people were poisoned by contaminated water mellons in the USA and Canada.

In S. Florida Chamaedorea brachypoda is particularly susceptable to nematodes, and Temik seemed to be the only insecticide effective against nematodes. This product may be available in the UK, but remember, use with caution and don't inhale any of the dust or let it touch your skin.

Dick

[Kris]

Dear Nigel  

will earth worms or red worms eat up unwanted nemathods..?

and by the way the health officals of which country are creating problems ? since i was told that california has strict

agricultural produce import regulation..so i made it a point to send few seeds fresh and normally cleaned.it was delivered to our forum friends in time and without any abnormal checking...!

So its clear that when the authorities freeze a argo product then,its clear they are not that happy with the content,since old items breed worms & pests.

love,

Kris  

[ghar41]

(Nigel @ Sep. 16 2007,02:22)

QUOTE

Our agriculture ministry are becoming obsessed with soil nematodes.

Does anybody have experience with soil nematodes and palms, and in particular how to treat and eradicate the blasted things.

Any replies appreciated.

Nematodes are the most abundant animals on earth.  There are literally many billions in the upper three inches of soil per acre of rich farm land.

There are many different species, but for healthy soil to be achieved, there must be a certain balance of specific types.  This is best attained by the presence of decaying organic matter, namely humus, in the soil.

By simply viewing the soil, the "grizzly bear" of the topsoil, the earthworm (at the top of the food chain among non arthropods), is often the single best visible indicator of good stuff.

I am very interested in this topic....especially as it relates to humus...and the different types used by palm growers.  Thanks for the post.

[sonoranfans]

(ghar41 @ Sep. 17 2007,17:09)

QUOTE

(Nigel @ Sep. 16 2007,02:22)

QUOTE

Our agriculture ministry are becoming obsessed with soil nematodes.

Does anybody have experience with soil nematodes and palms, and in particular how to treat and eradicate the blasted things.

Any replies appreciated.

Nematodes are the most abundant animals on earth.  There are literally many billions in the upper three inches of soil per acre of rich farm land.

There are many different species, but for healthy soil to be achieved, there must be a certain balance of specific types.  This is best attained by the presence of decaying organic matter, namely humus, in the soil.

By simply viewing the soil, the "grizzly bear" of the topsoil, the earthworm (although not carnivorous, just at the top of the food chain among non arthropods), is often the single best visible indicator of good stuff.

I am very interested in this topic....especially as it relates to humus...and the different types used by palm growers.  Thanks for the post.

Thanks glenn, an excellent reason to use compost and supplement with humates/humic acid.  Maybe that is why I havent had any problems thus far in my low humus clay soil.  I remember reading material at the U of A horticultural expension that recommended against nematocides, as the "good" ones will die also and the soil may be poisoned for many years.

[eastern.nurseries]

The golden cyst nematode is of real concern to British quarantine. Fenamiphos will effectively control this and many other nematodes if appropriate strategies [fungicides to ensure a healthy root system] are used to produce the crop.

[merrill]

Hi, Nigel:

It would be a terribly serious problem if absolute abscence of nematodes would be required.  If the inspectors are really stringent, it will be tough!

Nemacur [fenamiphos] and Temik [aldocarb] are very toxic. A death of an agricultural worker caused by fenamiphos was reported on one occasion.  These fellows who are very careful using elevateded beds seem to succeed.  May I make a political comment?  Doesn't seem likely nematodes would become a problem in your locale!

Best Wishes,

merrill

[Nigel]

(merrill @ Sep. 20 2007,10:37)

QUOTE

 May I make a political comment?  Doesn't seem likely nematodes would become a problem in your locale!

Best Wishes,

merrill

Hi Merrill, your political comment shares my sentiments exactly.

Its a ridiculous situation.

This all started last year when a nursery imported large Jubaeas from Chile, and the government ministry found nematodes and issued a destruction order.

The nursery pleaded for sanity and it was agreed the palms could be treated. The client who bought them planted them in his field and this year they were retested. The nematodes had completely gone. DEFRA complimented him on his treatment, he didnt like to admit he had done absolutely nothing.

This is lost on DEFRA, now there is no leniency, or common sense, nematodes = instant destruction order.