There’s no doubt that this spring has been a weird one in Hyde County. The cooler temperatures have had a notable effect on the growth of the corn crop. The slower growth rate has made the plants more vulnerable to stress. One stressor that has become more evident in several fields is nematode damage. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in the soil and can have a devastating impact on the root system of plants, including corn. These pests feed on the roots, causing direct damage and affecting the plant’s ability to uptake nutrients and water.
If you know you have a nematode issue, be careful not to spread them from field to field! Remove any soil stuck to your tillage equipment, wash with a 10% bleach solution, rinse with clean water, and dry before moving to unaffected fields or areas.
Check out these Extension publications for more information:
