ThatchZyme in practice: Supporting organic matter management across golf and cricket.
Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic roundworms that feed on turfgrass roots. By puncturing root cells with a stylet, they reduce the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients, leaving turf less able to cope with drought, heat, traffic and other stresses.
Nematode puncture wounds also allow root borne diseases like Pythium to be more damaging. Because symptoms often resemble irrigation, nutrition or disease problems, accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential.
Nematode Basics
Not all nematodes are harmful
Most nematodes in soil are free-living and feed on bacteria, fungi, algae, decaying material or other small organisms. Plant-parasitic nematodes are the main group of concern in turf because they possess a needle-like feeding structure called a stylet, which is used to puncture root cells and withdraw plant fluids.
How they feed
Ectoparasitic nematodes remain outside the root and feed from the root surface. Endoparasitic nematodes enter root tissue; some move through roots while feeding, while others become sedentary at a specialised feeding site.
Life cycle and activity
The life cycle progresses from egg through four juvenile stages to the adult. Warm, moist soils generally favour faster development and movement, while sandy rootzones provide pore space that supports nematode activity. Populations can increase quickly when temperatures and root growth are favourable.
Recognising Nematode Damage
Aboveground: Irregular patches of wilting, yellowing, thinning or slow recovery. Weeds may become more prominent as weakened turf loses competitiveness.
Belowground: Roots may be shortened, stubby, dark or lacking fine feeder roots. Some nematodes can produce galls, although these may be difficult to see to the untrained eye.
Hot spots: Populations are typically clumped rather than evenly distributed, so damage often develops as irregular patches that expand under stress.
Typical patchy turf decline associated with nematode root damage.
Integrated Management Principles
Maintain fertility based on MLSN, manage moisture carefully, relieve compaction, support healthy root growth through a Superior Liquids program and avoid unnecessarily low mowing. Cultural practices may not eliminate nematodes, but they can significantly improve turf tolerance.
Match treatment to the target
Nematodes differ in where and how they feed. Ectoparasites remain outside roots, while endoparasites enter root tissue. Product selection, placement and irrigation should therefore be based on the identified nematode and label directions.
Monitor and rotate
Use sample results to follow population trends and turf risk. Where nematicides are justified and registered, rotate modes of action and avoid relying repeatedly on one chemistry. Prevention and early intervention are more reliable than attempting to recover severely damaged turf.
Registered Nematicide Options
Nematicides should be selected from laboratory results and used as part of an integrated program. The main professional turf options differ in active ingredient, target spectrum, placement and application pattern:
✓ Thumper (20 g/L abamectin, Group 6): A broad soil-borne nematode option applied at 5 L/ha. It requires immediate irrigation to move the treatment into moist soil. As it shares the same active and mode of action as Agador, the two products should not be treated as a resistance management rotation.
✓ Agador (20 g/L abamectin, Group 6): A chelated abamectin formulation with a label rate of 2 L/ha, washed in immediately.
✓ Indemnify (400 g/L fluopyram, Group N-3 nematicide): A low-rate contact nematicide and fungicide with upward movement in the plant, registered against a broad range of plant-parasitic nematodes. Apply as a preventative treatment when root growth is favourable and irrigate into the rootzone as directed by the label.
✓ Trefinti (450 g/L cyclobutrifluram, Group N-3 nematicide): A broad spectrum option with contact activity against ectoparasitic and endoparasitic nematodes and fungicidal properties with upward movement in the plant.
Always confirm the current product label, registered target nematodes, turf situation, irrigation requirement, annual use limits and re-entry directions before application.
Cultural Practices That Help
✓ Promote a deeper, healthier root system through appropriate irrigation and aeration.
✓ Avoid both excessive and deficient nitrogen; use balanced, measured inputs.
✓ Reduce compaction, shade and traffic stress where practical.
✓ Prevent movement of infested soil by servicing affected areas last and cleaning equipment.
✓ Keep records of sample results, turf symptoms, weather and treatment response.
Need a site-specific nematode plan?
Contact your Living Turf Tech Rep for assistance with sampling, report interpretation and an integrated program suited to your turf species, rootzone and local conditions. New nematicide registrations make annual program adjustments essential.
Argentine Stem Weevil: Identification, Risk Window, and Control Strategies
Argentine Stem Weevil (ASW) can be devastating to cool-season turf through dry, warmer months. Activity typically ramps up as temperatures rise and conditions dry out, with damage possible from October through May (timing varies by region and season). Multiple, overlapping generations are common when warm weather persists, so early detection and rapid response are critical.