The Hidden Enemy Edward J. Sikora, Elizabeth A. Guertal, and Kira L. Bowen B ermudagrass and bentgrass greens on golf courses sometimes show signs of poor vigor even when they have been carefully maintained. The likely culprits in these situations are plant parasitic nematodes, which AAES research has shown abound in numerous species and in large numbers in the soils of Alabama's golf courses. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that often live in the soil and attack a wide range of host plants. As many as 20,000 individuals can be found in one pint of soil.
Lance nematodes feeding in and on a grass root segment.
Spiral nematodes were commonly found in both hybrid bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass putting greens. At least 10 genera of plant parasitic nematodes have been recovered in routine tests of soil from putting greens in Alabama. Many of these genera, at high population levels, can cause severe damage to greens. Putting greens on the more than 300 golf courses in Alabama are comprised of either hybrid bermudagrass or creeping bentgrass. Detailed information concerning the distribution, population levels, and economic importance of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with putting greens in Alabama is lacking.