All plant parasitic nematodes that attack beans cause similar aboveground symptoms. Plants are often stunted though this rarely occurs uniformly over an area. Nematodes are usually distributed unevenly within a field or garden often resulting in stunted plants in circular or oval patches. Leaves on infected plants are typically pale green to yellow in color. They often wilt during the warmest part of the day or during periods of drought.
Symptoms are most severe in light, sandy soils.
High plant parasitic nematode populations can often result in lower yields. Occasionally the plant dies. Belowground symptoms of RKN damage appear as galls, knots, or swellings. Galls cannot be removed as they are comprised of root tissue. Galls on severely infected roots may fuse causing the root system to appear malformed.