Managing Nematodes in the Hoophouse

Reader Contribution by Pam Dawling
Published on October 29, 2018
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We labeled the bed where we found nematodes, to ensure good sanitation practices.

Growing in a hoophouse has all the benefits of a warmer climate and sometimes the disadvantages, such as pests and diseases not seen in outdoor crops. For us in central Virginia, winter-hardiness Zone 7, that now includes root-knot nematodes (RKN). Nematodes are tiny soil-borne worms that have a wide host range and are hard to control. They move only 3’–4′ (1–1.2 m) per year on their own, but people move them on shoes, tools, etc. It’s been hard to find an organic approach to management of this pest. I’m offering what I’ve learned so far, so other growers have a starting point.

Tilling every 10 days (bare fallow) is one option, but we didn’t want “dead” soil. RKN are active at soil temperatures between 50°F–95°F (10°C–35°C), but reproduce slowly if at all below 64°F (18°C); their optimum temperature is about 90°F (32°C). At the lower end of their active temperature scale, RKN can complete a life cycle in 50 days. At 85°F–90°F (29°C–32°C) that time can be reduced to only 20 days.

Discovering Nematodes

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