Cereals: Oat Cyst Nematode

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (Chapter 6)

Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crop

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Updates on Cereals: Oat Cyst Nematode
3. Related links...

Introduction

Damage by the oat cyst nematode is first noticed about 2 or 3 weeks after oat plants emerge, at which time heavily infected plants appear to suddenly stop growing, leaves turn pale and begin to die back from the tips downward. These plants fail to tiller, resulting in a thin stand of stunted plants that produce little grain. Below ground, the root systems are severely stunted and usually discoloured, from a pale yellow in early growth to a yellow-brown in mature plants, as compared to the clear white in healthy plants.

To confirm suspected oat cyst nematode damage, a sample of several plants with adhering soil may be sent to the Pest Diagnostic Clinic, Laboratory Services Division, University of Guelph, 95 Stone Rd. W., Guelph, Ontario N1H 8J7. A fee is charged for this service.

If oat cyst nematodes have caused damage, do not plant spring grains the following year. Use legume or row crops in the rotation. Corn can be used if the nematode population is low but will suffer damage if the soil is heavily infested. The nematode invades corn roots but does not reproduce in them; thus consecutive cropping to corn effectively reduces the population of oat cyst nematodes.

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Updates on Cereals: Oat Cyst Nematode

No updates available at this time.

Related links...

• Diseases
• Cereals
• Field Crop Protection Guide - Publication 812

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