Common crops affected
What are root-knot nematodes?
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are microscopic roundworms that infect the roots of a wide range of crops — tomatoes, cucurbits, strawberries, peppers, cannabis and more. The infective juvenile enters a young root and triggers giant feeding cells, which the plant walls off as galls. The nematode feeds inside, matures, and lays the next generation, so populations build season after season.
How to identify root-knot damage
- Galls on roots: swollen knots along the root system — the definitive sign. Lift a plant and wash the roots to check.
- Patchy above-ground symptoms: stunting, midday wilting despite moisture, and unresponsive nutrient-deficiency symptoms
- Decline over seasons: gradually worsening performance in the same areas as populations accumulate
Galling is easy to confuse with beneficial nitrogen-fixing nodules on legumes — nodules rub off easily, galls are part of the root. A lab assay confirms species and pressure.
Why they are so persistent
Each female can lay hundreds of eggs, often in protective masses that survive between crops, and warm soils allow several generations per season. Control focuses on disrupting feeding and reducing egg hatch — not simply reacting to visible symptoms. For the full life cycle, see our Soil Nematodes overview.
Recommended Vegalab solution: Nematode Control
Vegalab Nematode Control is an OMRI-listed natural nematicide built on the nano-encapsulation platform. Its active, geraniol (a plant-derived terpene), is delivered as a nano-emulsion that distributes through the soil profile to the root zone, disrupting nematode feeding and reproduction, reducing egg hatch, and helping minimise root-knot galling — while leaving the surrounding rhizosphere and beneficial microbiota intact. Independent and internal evaluations support 90%+ efficacy against target nematodes when applied as directed. Applied as a soil drench through irrigation, it carries zero pre-harvest and zero re-entry interval. Results vary by crop, region, nematode species and pressure; claims and availability vary by jurisdiction — always read and follow the applicable product label.
| Role | Product | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary control | Nematode Control | Soil-applied nematicide (irrigation) |
| Companion / broader pressure | Root Boost | Root development / establishment |
| Plant support | Charge Bioboost | Soil biology / suppressive soil |
Claims and product availability vary by jurisdiction. Always read and follow the product label.