⚠ Moderate🩺
Roots
Nematodes on Strawberry Roots
Commonly affects: Fragaria × ananassa (Strawberry)
Plants show general decline, stunted growth, and reduced vigour despite adequate care, with roots showing lesions or stunted, stubby growth when examined.
Potential Causes
- 1Root lesion or other plant-parasitic nematodes feeding on root tissue
- 2Sandy soil, which nematodes move through and colonise easily
- 3Continuous strawberry cultivation in the same soil without rotation
Solution Steps
- 1Improve soil organic matter to support beneficial, nematode-suppressing soil organisms
- 2Rotate out of strawberry production for a season or more in heavily infested beds
- 3Solarise soil with clear plastic over a hot summer before replanting
- 4Start new plantings with certified nematode-free transplants
Prevention Tip
Certified nematode-free transplants for new plantings prevent most nematode problems from ever establishing in a fresh bed.
