Live Plant Parasitic Nematode Identification
Plant parasitic nematodes are microscopic organisms that must have some type of living host plant tissue to feed upon and multiply. Every production crop and turf grass has at least one plant parasitic nematode that can affect it. The majority of plant parasitic nematodes are root feeders and can be characterized by type of plants they feed on, visual cues related to predation effects, and general classifications on level of root penetration/feeding (ectoparasite, semi-endoparasite, and endoparasite). The ability to control these organisms is directly related to their level of root penetration.