Media release no.
Agriculture Western Australia senior nematologist Dr Shashi Sharma has been working with his colleagues on a Grains Research and Development Corporation funded project to examine the impact of this sneaky pest on crop production. Root lesion nematodes are microscopic worms that cannot be seen by the eye, yet have the ability to significantly reduce crop yields up to 50 per cent. Yield loss studies indicate that there may not be many visable dramatic examples of RLN damage, but losses in the range of 5-10pc are prevalent. Dr Sharma said surveys revealed that RLN was found virtually throughout the cereal cropping area. Growers can have RLN for several years before they build up high numbers to cause noticeable symptoms.