The Invisible Threat to Your Crop - Nematode

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that can cause significant damage to crops, plants, soil and sometimes even humans and animals. They live in soil, water or on plants and can parasitize roots, leaves or other parts of plants.

Characteristics and types of nematodes

Size: Usually from 0.3 to 2 mm (some parasitic species can be larger).

Body shape: Elongated, round in cross section, with pointed ends.

Reproduction: Lay eggs or give birth to larvae.

Life cycle: Consists of several stages (egg, larva, adult).

Type of nutrition: Some nematodes feed on organic debris, others on plant sap, blood or host tissues.

Types of nematodes:

1. Root-knot nematode

• Infects the root system of plants, causing its deformation, the formation of galls, rotting or other damage.
• Reduces the ability of roots to absorb water and nutrients, which leads to stunted plant growth, yellowing of leaves and reduced yield.

2. Leaf nematode

Infects the above-ground parts of plants, leaving necrotic spots, which leads to a decrease in photosynthetic activity.

3. Stem nematode

Penetrates the stems and leaves, causing their deformation and worsening the general condition of the plant.

4. Root-knot nematode

Causes the formation of growths (galls) on the roots.

5. Potato nematode

Infects potatoes, reducing their yield.

Harmfulness in the soil

Parasites can disrupt the microbiological balance of the soil, reducing its fertility.

The level of damage caused by nematodes

Nematodes are one of the most common causes of crop damage and reduced yields, in addition, the difficulty of controlling the impact of nematodes is one of the main factors in crop loss. The pest affects almost all plants grown by farmers and farms. More than 4,000 species feed on plant tissues, affecting mainly the root system, but there are species that parasitize in bulbs, stems, leaves and flowers

The connection of nematodes with other phytoparasites is known - viruses, bacteria, fungi. Nematodes destroy plant cells, promote the penetration of phytopathogenic microorganisms into cells. Together they form a single pathogenic complex that causes significant damage to agriculture. In plants affected by nematodes, the leaf area and biomass decrease, photosynthesis decreases, which leads to a decrease in yield. Crop losses due to plant damage by parasitic nematodes in different countries range from 25% to 70%, and in extreme conditions can reach 90-100%.

A root system affected by nematodes loses its ability to effectively absorb water and nutrients from the soil. In the worst case, the plant may die. By feeding on plant tissues, nematodes reduce the plant's absorption of moisture and deprive it of vital nutrients

Methods for controlling nematodes

1. Agrotechnical methods:

• Crop rotation: Including plants that are not hosts for nematodes in the crop rotation (for example, cereals).
• Deep plowing: Helps reduce the population of nematodes in the upper soil layer.
• Compliance with crop rotation: Reduces the risk of pest accumulation.

2. Biological methods:

• Use of biological products - seed treatment, seedlings and root zone treatment. Insecto-nematocidal preparations based on bacterial and fungal spores - which, developing on the plant or in the soil, destroy nematodes. The most effective are spores of bacteria of the genus Bacillus firmus, which are most widely represented both in purely biological preparations and in combination with chemical active substances.
• Sowing green manure crops: Mustard, rye or oats can reduce the population of nematodes in the soil.

3. Chemical methods:

• Use of nematicides, such as thiophos, fenamiphos, but this requires caution due to their toxicity and impact on the environment.
• Soil treatment before planting with special chemicals.

4. Physical methods:

• Soil sterilization: Heat treatment (steaming).
• Solar pasteurization: Covering the soil with a transparent film to heat and destroy pests.

5. Genetic methods:

Breeding plant varieties resistant to nematodes (for example, potato varieties resistant to the golden potato nematode).

Prevention

• Use of healthy planting material.
• Regular soil disinfection.
• Maintaining hygiene of tools and greenhouses.
• Avoiding excessive watering, which creates a favorable environment for nematodes.

Biological solution for protection against nematodes

Bionematocides are based on microbiological components that actively colonize the root system, creating a physical and biochemical barrier to the penetration of nematodes.

The company “Imex Agro” offers a new product of its own development, the biological plant protection product “Nematocid” - for the protection of agricultural, vegetable, fruit and berry and garden crops from nematodes. The composition of the product is a combination of spores of the bacteria Bacillus firmus and Bacillus pumilus.

After the spores are viable, the bacteria multiply and colonize the root zone. They secrete various metabolic substances that inhibit growth and development of nematodes, which leads to their death.

Bacillus firmus - forms endospores, which makes it resistant to extreme conditions (high temperature, dryness, ultraviolet radiation). Optimal growth conditions at temperatures: 25–40°C (optimally about 30°C). pH: 6.5–8.0 (neutral or slightly alkaline environment). The bacterium acts by forming toxins that reduce the activity and number of nematodes, or changes the soil microflora, making it unfavorable for parasites. In infected soil, it reduces the number of nematodes by direct toxic effects on eggs, larvae and adults.

Advantages of Bacillus firmus:

• Environmental safety: Does not have a negative effect on the beneficial microflora of the soil, plants and humans.
• Stability: Due to the formation of spores, the bacterium remains active even under adverse conditions.

Bacillus pumilus is a multifunctional microorganism that combines the properties of a biofungicide, a plant growth stimulator and a tool for environmental purification. Its use helps to increase yields and maintain the natural balance of ecosystems. Optimal growth conditions - temperature: 30–50°C (some strains withstand up to 70°C). pH: 6.5–8.5 (neutral or slightly alkaline environment).

Bacillus pumilus has a high level of effectiveness in the destruction of nematodes. Actively inhibits the development and destroys root and root-knot nematodes, including their eggs.

Bacillus pumilus secretes enzymes that destroy the cell walls of fungi and bacteria - this makes it effective against soil pathogens, helps protect plants from bacterial and fungal diseases (Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Pythium.).

Secretes phytohormones that enhance the development of the root system and improve the absorption of nutrients by plants. Stimulates the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms. In the complex, this helps to increase the yield of individual crops by 10-30%.

Due to its activity, it helps to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, cleans soils and water from pollution, in particular heavy metals and toxic compounds.

During their development, in the complex, Bacillus firmus and Bacillus pumilus absorb plant secretions, reducing the number of signal molecules that attract nematodes, and produce active metabolites - organic molecules that distract nematodes and thereby protect the plant throughout its life cycle.

As a result, the reproduction and spread and penetration of nematodes is significantly reduced. Females and eggs are also destroyed. When bacteria get on nematode ovipositors, they are blocked, as a result of which the eggs die.

Features of use Nematocid

Product is applied:

• by seed treatment
• during growing seedlings
• with irrigation water during planting seedlings
• fertigation
• drip irrigation
• by mixing with fertilizers and applying them under the root.

Nematocid is applied several times a year.

A special condition for the effectiveness of Nematocid is the presence of moisture in the soil!

Application rate is 10g / 10m²

The fight against nematodes is a complex process that requires a systematic combination of several methods to achieve maximum effect.