Diagnosing seed gall nematode
Very rare due to modern seed cleaning practices seed gall nematode seldom causes economic losses.
What to look for
- Stunted plants with distorted seed heads and flag leaves.
Paddock
- Leaves wrinkled, twisted and rolled.
- Stems swollen at ground level.
- At heading, plants are stunted with small seed heads that have open glumes.
- Grain replaced by hard brown black seed galls containing thousands of dry nematodes.
Plant
What else could it be
| Condition | Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosing downy mildew in cereals | Head distortion | Downy mildew is restricted to wet areas |
| Diagnosing group I herbicide damage in cereals | Head distortion | Seed gall nematode causes seeds to be replaced by small black galls. |
Where did it come from?
Contaminated seed
Contaminated soil
- Seed-borne and soil-borne galls contain thousands of dried nematodes that become active with moisture.
- Seed gall nematodes can survive in the soil for up to two years and in the gall for up to 40 years.
Management strategies
- Avoid growing wheat or rye in infected paddocks for two years.
- Use clean seed if infection occurs.
See also
Where to go for expert help
Page last updated: Friday, 17 April 2015 - 2:21pm