What does strawberry nematode look like and is it possible to fight it

Growing garden strawberries and strawberries is a troublesome and time-consuming process. Errors in care, an abundance of rainfall during the ripening period of berries strongly affect the taste and quality characteristics of the fruit. However, these are not all factors affecting the crop. Strawberry nematode is able to nullify all the efforts of the gardener and deprive him of the opportunity to enjoy tasty and healthy berries.

Parasite description

Strawberry nematode is one of the representatives of the many thousandth class of parasitic roundworms. Strawberry, strawberry, raspberry, chrysanthemum, and decorative crops become victims of the parasite. Due to the numerous variety and widespread specialization of the pest, there is some confusion in the taxonomy.

Thus, according to some sources, the strawberry stem nematode is planted in strawberries, however, more authoritative publications claim that the berry culture is still more harmful by the strawberry leaf nematode.

Nevertheless, the ordinary gardener essentially does not care about the species of the parasite. He is much more interested in how to recognize the pest in time, how to prevent the invasion and save the crop from a malicious worm.

Appearance

The strawberry nematode is so tiny that it is almost impossible to see it without optical instruments. The length of the slender narrow body of the female does not exceed 0.7 mm. The male is even smaller - a rare individual grows more than 0.56 mm.

Strawberry nematode is characterized by sexual dimorphism. The body of the female is more rounded, the uterus is usually filled with sperm. The eggs are oblong and are a narrow, long, microscopic capsule. Larvae differ from adults by a defective digestive and reproductive system, as well as smaller dimensions.

On a note! A disease caused by nematodes is called nematodosis. Due to the difficulties of identifying and detecting parasites, it is extremely difficult to fight.

Features of the parasitism of strawberry nematodes

A characteristic feature of strawberry nematodes is the ability to parasitize both inside the plant and outside. Worms live everywhere in the upper layers of open ground. They attack the stems, leaves, buds, and the rudiments of the reproductive organs of ornamental and fruit crops. Through stylet, they are attached to plant tissue and absorb nutrients. In the process of nutrition, enzymes are introduced that contribute to metabolic disorders of the plant.

Strawberry nematodes actively migrate inside the plant. On strawberries, they behave predominantly as ectoparasites, that is, they spend most of the time in the outer parts.

Mating of nematodes occurs in the kidneys or sinuses of the leaves. The female does not lay eggs dosed, and as the embryos mature, they transform into a cyst. Embryonic development depends on humidity, temperature. Optimum conditions + 18-24 ° C. At temperatures above 40 ° C, parasites die.

Hatching larvae are very mobile and can affect the plant both from the inside and outside. The full development of the nematode from the egg to the adult is 10-14 days. Up to 20 generations of generations are possible per year. The winter period, the young and adult generation spend in the ground parts or young shoots and remain viable even in the most severe frosts.

Signs of strawberry nematode infection and harm

The appearance of a strawberry leaf nematode can be ascertained by the following signs:

• growth retardation, gradually the plant becomes dwarf;
• discoloration of leaves, stems - at the initial stage they turn yellow, then blacken;
• leaf veins thicken and acquire a yellowish color;
• the appearance of spots of different colors from pale green to dark brown;
• petioles of leaves become red;
• gradual death of the central part of the bush;
• deformation of outlets, shortening mustache;
• rhizome damage;
• poor flowering or lack thereof, chopping peduncles;
• small sizes of berries.

Ultimately, nematodosis reduces yield. The plant becomes susceptible to various bacteria, fungi, pests. In case of severe infection, the plantation must be removed.

Often the parasite is localized in separate areas and selects single bushes or, on the contrary, densely planted territories.

Strawberry nematode affects not only strawberry bushes, but lilies, chrysanthemums, hellebore, lily of the valley, sage, violet, daffodil, anemone, cyclomen, peony.
The main reason for the appearance of a nematode on the site is the acquisition of infected seedlings or soil. Parasites can also be carried on tools. The highest peak of pest development is observed in wet, humid weather in early summer at moderate temperatures.

What to do if nematodes occupied strawberries

Strawberry nematode control measures depend on the degree of infection. If the parasites did not have time to firmly settle on the bushes, plants can be saved by using the following methods:

1. In early spring (before budding) and in late autumn, abundant spraying of bushes with a 3% solution of copper sulfate (vitriol) is performed. The procedure is performed in the early morning ooze in the evening.
2. To destroy the imago and larvae of the nematode, agents are used that include mercaptophos and phosphamide.
3. To reduce the pest population, the drugs Fundazol, Skor, Fitoverm are used, which are bred in accordance with the instructions. The solution is irrigated with holes, directly the soil near the plants.
4. Heavily damaged bushes should be eliminated and burned without regret, until the parasites spread to neighboring stands.

The most complete information about chemicals against strawberry nematodes can be obtained at a specialized store. However, it is worth remembering that they all affect adults and larvae. Against cysts, they are powerless.

How to protect strawberries from a nematode

The fight against strawberry nematode begins at the stage of planting of young plants. Transplanting bushes with an interval of 4 years is needed not only to obtain good results, but also allows you to get rid of many pests. It is also worth remembering that you can not plant strawberries constantly in the same place. You can return berry bushes to old sites no earlier than after 5-7 years. Nematode cysts are very tenacious and can wait several years for a plant host in the soil.

After a berry culture, legumes, cereals, cruciferous should be planted. These plants are not susceptible to parasites. Among gardeners, a mixed way of planting strawberries with the above crops has proven itself.

It is not recommended to break the beds, holes for strawberries near potato, onion, garlic plantations, since it is they who top the list of favorites among the nematodes. For the same reason, new strawberry plantations do not break up in areas where potatoes or onions previously grew.

You can plant strawberry varieties that are resistant to strawberry nematodes. These include Saxon, Pearl, Rocket, Festival, Granddaughter.

Calendula, marigold secrete chemical compounds - volatile, which repel nematodes, so they are planted around strawberry sections and in aisles. It is not necessary to rely on 100% protection from flower barriers, but they can prevent the migration of worms.

When buying planting material in a nursery, in a market or from neighbors in a plot, you don’t hesitate to inspect them. The appearance of seals on the root system, thickening of the veins and especially the presence of cysts (tiny yellowish balls) on the rhizomes should alert. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that such seedlings are infected with nematodes. If the bushes were purchased in a place that is not credible, new plants are placed in the quarantine zone.

No less important is the soil in which the seedlings are planted. Soil imported from the forest, greenhouses can be infected with soil nematodes. Therefore, before embarking on a landing, the earth should be disinfected with carbon disulfide.

Around the berry-trees, they dig trenches and pour lime into them. The component has a detrimental effect on the worms and helps to naturally reduce their population.

Processing young seedlings

Strawberry nematodes die at temperatures above 40 ° C. Before planting, young bushes are lowered into warm water at 45-47 ° C for 10-15 minutes. Such a safe method will allow to destroy pests at all stages of development, including eggs.

You can use a folk recipe. Gently soil the soil from the dug bush, rinse it in warm water and lower it into saline. To prepare it, take 1 tablespoon of salt and pour a liter of water. To completely dissolve the salt, the solution can be boiled, and then cooled to a temperature of 43-45 ° C. Immerse planting material in the salt mixture for 15 minutes, then rinse in clean cold water with fungicide.

On a note! Before processing bushes against strawberry nematodes, you should think in advance about the capacity in which disinfection will occur. It is most convenient to use a wide pan or tank with a volume of 50 liters. In such a "bowl" at the same time you can place from 40 to 50 bushes.

Even healthy seedlings need to be sanitized. Fosdrin, Parathion are well suited for disinfection. The solution is prepared according to the instructions. The blossoming first leaves of the berry can be treated with 1% Bordeaux liquid. It covers the ground parts of plants with a thin layer and prevents the penetration of bacteria and parasites.

Folk methods of struggle

There are several recipes that help rid the berry of nematodes:

• Before planting, the seedlings are soaked in hot water, as described above or in cold. In the latter case, the water temperature should be 8-9 ° C. Seedlings are aged in liquid for 5 days. Water should be renewed daily.
• The introduction of manure and chicken manure into the soil will not only enrich its composition and improve its structure, but will also inhibit the development of bacteria and nematodes.
• It is possible to deal with strawberry nematodes using nettles. For this, a bucket of freshly cut burning grass is poured with boiling water and insisted for 3-4 days. Tincture must be filtered and watered with berry bushes. Penetrating the roots of the plant, it contributes to the destruction of soil nematodes.
• To combat nematodes, a tabletted pharmaceutical drug Dekaris is used. The tablet must be crushed and mixed with a liter of cool water. To completely get rid of parasites, 3-4 watering will be required.

Preventative measures

Preventing nematodes is much easier than treating plants later on. To avoid infection with strawberry nematodes, you must:

• use only healthy planting material for planting;
• regularly disinfect equipment;
• remove weeds in a timely manner and burn them or take them to a specially designated place - a compost pit;
• regularly thin out plants and make mineral fertilizers;
• when infected bushes are detected, eliminate them by burning off the site to prevent the mass spread of parasites;
• rotate berry bushes;
• if large foci of infection are detected, do not plant strawberries in the area for several years.

Strawberry nematode is a malicious pest that can deprive not only the crop, but also the plants themselves. Only comprehensive measures will help avoid dangerous infections and preserve the berry.