ABSTRACT
The sting nematode B. longicaudatus has been recognized as an important pathogen since about 1950. A large number of plants, including most vegetable crops, agronomic crops, turf grasses and forage grasses, have been shown to be hosts. Since 1949 when Steiner described the sting nematode Belonolaimus gracilis as a parasite injuring the roots of slash- and long-leaf pine seedlings in forest nurseries near Ocala, Brooksville, and Valparaiso, Florida, much research has been done regarding its effects on crop plants. While symptoms caused by sting nematodes vary somewhat depending on such factors as inoculum level, host plant, and age of plant, in general the root system is greatly reduced and exhibits a combination of stubby roots and coarse roots with dark lesions along the root and at root tips. The sting nematode causes serious damage to agricultural crops such as bean, beet, cabbage and other crucifers, celery, corn, cucumber, okra, onion, pea, pepper, potato, soybean, and turf grasses.
