Nematodes and Peanuts

The peanut root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria, is most important root-knot nematode of peanut, which was reported in 1989 in Arkansas.  However, it has yet to be detected on peanut in the peanut production area of Arkansas.   The northern root-knot nematode, M. hapla, and lesion nematode, Pratylenchus brachyurus, have been reported in Arkansas and could be potential issues with continued peanut production.  The southern root-knot nematode, M. incognita, is the most common species in Arkansas.  Peanut is a nonhost to the southern root-knot nematode so it is an excellent crop to use in a rotation in sandy soil where there is a history of southern root-knot nematode. 

Figure 1. Root galls caused by Meloidogyne arenaria, peanut root-knot nematode, from a greenhouse inoculated trial.