Root Knot Nematodes vs. Typical Root Growth Pattern

Redwood Ryan

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Hey all,


Today I repotted this little guy that I bought last week:

20160712_111118.jpg

I received a message from a guy on Facebook warning me that he bought a tree from the same seller a couple months ago, but his tree had root knot nematodes. So since I repotted this tree today, I was on the lookout for the little pests when I spotted this root:

PSX_20160712_224401.jpg
As you can see, there are small lumps on the roots. What I'm uncertain of, is whether these bumps are normal root growths, or if they're something to be cautious about. It appears that every time there's a bump, the root heads in a different direction, as if that's where the root has been pruned back to.

Thoughts?
 
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Soldano666

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IMG_20160406_170222366.jpg at least they don't look like these. I collected a bunch of Russian olives from a field and half of them had these little fuckers. No plan yet, some i cut off everyone I could see, some will have to be treated with chemicals or some sort of biological defense
 

MichaelS

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Hey all,


Today I repotted this little guy that I bought last week:

View attachment 110745

I received a message from a guy on Facebook warning me that he bought a tree from the same seller a couple months ago, but his tree had root knot nematodes. So since I repotted this tree today, I was on the lookout for the little pests when I spotted this root:

View attachment 110747
As you can see, there are small lumps on the roots. What I'm uncertain of, is whether these bumps are normal root growths, or if they're something to be cautious about. It appears that every time there's a bump, the root heads in a different direction, as if that's where the root has been pruned back to.

Thoughts?
Root knot nematodes don't attack figs so no need to worry.
 

MichaelS

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View attachment 110748 at least they don't look like these. I collected a bunch of Russian olives from a field and half of them had these little fuckers. No plan yet, some i cut off everyone I could see, some will have to be treated with chemicals or some sort of biological defense
These are not nematode lesions. They are nodules from Rhizobium (or possibly Frankia) bacteria which live in beneficial association with the tree. They fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and supply it to the tree in return for sugars. They are a sign of a healthy tree and should be encouraged.
 

MichaelS

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You sure about that? He sent me pictures of the little pests on the roots of his tree.
I don't know about other ''pests'' but you can't see RK nematodes with the naked eye (unless you have really good eyesight) No I can't be 100% sure but I've never seen it on figs but countless times on Quince and other rosacea. I have grown figs in the ground with other plants that were attacked and the figs were fine. If you are concerned that they nematodes it is extremely difficult to eradicate them. Chemicals for control are extremely toxic and hard to get hold of. Seaweed and molasses helps but this year (as a last ditched effort) I immersed a whole bare root quince in hot water (55 degrees C) for 30 mins. If that doesn't work I will burn it even though it's 30 years old. Nematodes have been the bane of my existance for years!
 

Craigm

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These are not nematode lesions. They are nodules from Rhizobium (or possibly Frankia) bacteria which live in beneficial association with the tree. They fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and supply it to the tree in return for sugars. They are a sign of a healthy tree and should be encouraged.
Agreed,
these pics below are the Frankia from collected Casuarina, not sure about the Ficus.

DSC06901.jpg DSC06903.jpg

https://www.google.com.au/?client=firefox-b#q=casuarina+frankia&gfe_rd=cr
 

nickbachman

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I have had root knot nematodes on my figs. Green island and regular microcarpa, as well as my Schefflera. Those were infected from some quince and Crabapple I purchased and brought into my yard. Nitrogen nodules can be knocked off the roots, whereas nematodes infect the inside of the root and cause bumps in the root structure itself.
https://adamaskwhy.com/2013/06/06/root-knot-nematodes-in-my-bonsai/
 

Redwood Ryan

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Here's what he sent me of the nematodes on his Ficus:
received_613155585761.jpeg received_613155645641.jpeg
 

Soldano666

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These are not nematode lesions. They are nodules from Rhizobium (or possibly Frankia) bacteria which live in beneficial association with the tree. They fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and supply it to the tree in return for sugars. They are a sign of a healthy tree and should be encouraged.
that's a relief, will they go away when they are done assisting?
 

Craigm

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that's a relief, will they go away when they are done assisting?

No mate they do not go away as they are never finished assisting, infact they may even multiply which is only a good thing.


back to Op's thread ;), I personally have had zero experience with Nematodes Ryan sorry.
 

Soldano666

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hemmy

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I have had root knot nematodes on my figs. Green island and regular microcarpa, as well as my Schefflera. Those were infected from some quince and Crabapple I purchased and brought into my yard. Nitrogen nodules can be knocked off the roots, whereas nematodes infect the inside of the root and cause bumps in the root structure itself.
https://adamaskwhy.com/2013/06/06/root-knot-nematodes-in-my-bonsai/

In addition to cultivating the beneficial bacteria, there may also be a beneficial nematode control option.

"Steinernema feltiae, the beneficial nematode in BioLogic’s Scanmask, have been shown to reduce the population of root-knot nematodes."

http://www.biologicco.com/pest-insects/root-knot-nematodes.html


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586509/
 

Redwood Ryan

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I'm going to guess the answer to this question is no. The root looks fine and that's probably from being pot-bound and pruned from time to time.
 
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