See:
Cherry (Prunus spp.) - Bacterial Canker
Cause Mesocriconema spp., ring nematodes, are ectoparasites and may feed several days at a single site. They predispose trees to other pathogens such as bacterial canker and to environmental stresses. Mesocriconema was the second-most prominent genus of plant-parasitic nematode found in the Okanagan of BC, being found in 79% of cherry blocks.
Symptoms Heavy feeding results in the feeder roots' death. Fine roots that remain are necrotic or grouped in short clusters. The tree's shoot or root growth may be reduced.
Cultural control
- Avoid sites with high soil populations of ring nematodes.
- Preplanting the future orchard site with winter wheat followed by fallow have helped reduce populations.
Chemical control
- Preplant soil fumigation. Consult or hire a professional applicator to be sure it is done safely and effectively.
- Basamid G. Avoid application when soil is over 90°F. Do not apply within 3 to 4 feet of growing plants or closer than the drip line of larger plants. Do not harvest within one year of application. 5-day reentry. Restricted-use pesticide.
- Dominus at 10 to 40 gal/A. Apply as a shank injection to an entire field or raised beds when soil temperatures are above 60°F but not greater than 90°F. 5-day reentry.
- Telone II at 27 to 35 gal/A broadcast or 24 fl oz/single tree planting site delivered 5 ft deep. 5-day reentry. Restricted-use pesticide.
- Ecozin Plus at 25 to 56 oz/A is registered for use after planting through a drip irrigation system. Label suggests using additives to aid penetration into the soil and to make applications in the morning. Efficacy in the Pacific Northwest is unknown. 4-hr reentry. O
- Salibro at 30.7 to 61.4 fl oz/A can be used AT planting for non-bearing trees. May be applied using drip or micro-sprinkler irrigation, drench or soil spray followed by irrigation. Group N-UN nematicide. 12-hr reentry.
- Velum Prime at 6.5 to 6.84 fl oz/A can be used after planting using drip, trickle of micro-sprinklers. May be applied day of harvest. Group 7 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
Biological control
- MeloCon WG (Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251) at 2 to 4 lb/A plus a soil wetting agent can be applied to established plants, although it might be better used when applied to plants just before planting. Stable for only days at room temperature, weeks in the refrigerator or for a year if frozen. Unknown efficacy in the PNW. 4-hr reentry. O
References Forge, T., Munro, P., Midwood, A. J., Philips, L., Hannam, K., Neilsen, D., Powers, T. and Zasada, I. 2021. Shifting Prevalence of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Orchards and Vineyards of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-10-20-0079-RS
Nyczepir, A.P., Bertrand, P.F., and Cunfer, B.M. 1996. Suitability of a wheat-sorghum, double crop rotation to manage Criconemella xenoplax in peach production. Plant Disease. 80:629-632.