Cause Meloidogyne hapla. It lives in soil and causes plant decline by affecting the root system. The pest is important because it severely injures potential rotation crops such as carrots and potatoes.
Symptoms Galls form on roots; however, infection does not appear to cause yield loss under field conditions.
Cultural control
- Rotate to corn or other grains.
- Use clean planting stock to prevent introducing the nematode.
Chemical control This nematode can reduce mint yields (based on very small plot studies in central Washington), but population densities have not been encountered in Oregon that warrant chemical controls.
Reference Ingham, R.E., and Merrifield, K. 1996. Biology and management of nematodes in mint. IPPC Publication No. 996. Integrated Plant Protection Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 39 p.