Seed gall nematode

Constraint – Seed gall nematode

Appearance

• Microscopic, parasitic organism, with a wormlike appearance

Symptoms

• Stunted plants with distorted leaves and seed heads 

• Stems swollen at ground level

• At heading, plants have small seed heads with open glumes

• Grain replaced by hard brown/black seed galls containing thousands of dry nematodes

Damage

• Economic loss is very rare due to modern seed cleaning practices

• Yield loss can be considerable if infection is severe

Control

Seed gall nematode seldom causes economic losses as incidences of infection are very rare due to modern seed cleaning practices. Avoiding growing wheat or rye in infected paddocks for two years, use of clean seed, and application of seed cleaning practices can all help to control seed gall nematode. 

Links and Resources

DAFWA - Seed gall nematode What to look for, what else could it be, where did it come from, and how is it treated.