Evaluation of nematode thresholds and turf damage
Summary:
A study conducted in 2007 at La Jolla Country, with cooperator and golf course superintendent John Pollok, investigated the relationship between nematode counts and turf damage. After surveying samples from all 18 bentgrass greens for nematodes, we found that there were three different species present —ring nematode Criconemella, root knot nematode Meloidogyne and spiral nematode Helicotylenchus. However, none of these nematodes, even when occurring in high numbers, was associated with turf damage.
The full print version of the report, "Evaluation of nematode populations and nematode damage" is now available.
The bottom line? Don't treat for nematodes unless you are really sure that they are the source of your turf damage. Consult this PACE Update on nematodes and turf for information on how to identify nematode damage at your location.
Principal investigators: John Pollok, La Jolla Country Club, and Larry Stowell, Ph.D. and Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D., PACE Turf
Posted 9/15/08
