Nematodes as Predisposing Agents
Research to determine the precise role of nematodes in plant decline has shown that feeding may have diverse effects on plant physiology. For example, it is clear that some nematodes may predispose fruit trees to other disease problems. Although very little is understood about how nematodes do this, some examples are well documented. Feeding by the ring nematode on peaches, for example, has been linked to increased susceptibility to bacterial canker, reduced winter hardiness, and the development of peach tree short life disease. Other research has shown that nematodes can make plants more susceptible to certain fungal pathogens such as verticillium wilt. The basis for predisposition presumably lies in the disruption of the normal hormonal balance of the root. More research is needed to understand the nature of this interaction.
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