How long do nematodes stay in the soil?
Q: The tomatoes I grew last year were attacked by nematodes. When I dug up the plants I noticed swollen areas on their roots. How long do nematodes stay in the soil? Can I plant tomatoes in the same area this year? A: Nematodes are microscopic round worms. Some nematodes damage a variety of plants including tomatoes. Root knot nematodes feed on small roots and cause the tissue to grow abnormally producing galls. The damaged roots absorb less water and nutrients from the soil. Once nematodes have been introduced into a garden, there is no practical way to eradicate them. You can grow tomatoes in nematode infested soil by planting varieties resistant to root knot nematodes. The letter ‘N’ after a variety name indicates it is resistant to nematodes. This information is provided in most seed catalogs and on the plant label of some tomato varieties sold at garden centers. If you want to grow tomatoes that are not nematode resistant, plant them in another area of your yard. Also, do not move
