Eggs may be laid in the soil or in roots where juveniles begin feeding as soon as they hatch. This extensive damage produces necrotic lesions, reducing the ability of roots to take up water and nutrients and increasing the susceptibility of roots to attack by soil-borne pathogens. Given the damage nematodes can do to the potential vigor and life of a planting, it is important to submit a soil sample for nematode analysis several months before establishing a blueberry planting. Older blueberry plants which are vigorous and have extensive root systems may be able to tolerate feeding pressure from nematodes which could stunt a young plant with a small root system. In early spring, soils are often too cold and wet to allow for field operations or optimal effectiveness of chemical fumigants.
All fumigants require a waiting period before planting.
The timing required for all these operations must be taken into consideration when planning a new blueberry planting. However, the first step is collecting and submitting the soil sample. If nematode populations are low, no control measures will be required and planting can proceed. Organically oriented growers who wish to avoid the use of a chemical fumigant may wish to consider fallowing the land for one year and then getting a second nematode count at the end of the fallow period. Because several cultivated plant and weed species serve as good hosts for the dagger and root-lesion nematode, weeds must be diligently controlled during the fallow year.