Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in diverse habitats. Plant parasitic nematodes live in soil and plant tissues and feed on plants by puncturing and sucking the cell contents with a spearlike mouthpart called a stylet.
Little information is available on damage to figs resulting from a nematode infestation.
The trees are likely to be more susceptible to temperature and water stress. The symptoms described below are indicative of a nematode problem, but are not diagnostic as they could result from other causes as well. Lesion nematode infested trees may appear stunted with very few feeder roots. The roots may have reddish brown lesions that eventually turn dark. Dagger nematode causes gall formation on root tips.