Plant Industry - Plant Protection Section
Plant Disease Services
Guava Root Knot Nematode
The guava root knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii; GRKN) is a root knot nematode that can infect a wide variety of commodities, including cotton, soybean, and sweet potato. GRKN is a soilborne plant pathogen that can be transmitted via infected plant issue or infested soil and can be moved via planting material or equipment. In North Carolina, movement of sweet potatoes and associated articles is regulated to prevent the spread of this pest.
North Carolina Guava Root Knot Nematode Regulations
All sweet potato brokers, packers, shippers, plant and seed producers must be under compliance with NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division. Please contact your local Plant Pest Specialist to obtain your required Compliance Agreement.
List of NC Sweet Potato Industry Professionals Under Compliance (updated May 5, 2021)
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| Examples of symptomatic sweet potatoes infected with GRKN | Symptomatic sweet potato infected with guava root knot nematode |
| Photos courtesy of Dr. Weimin Ye, Nematologist, Agronomics Division | |
To submit soil samples to test for GRKN please fill out a nematode assay form and submit your sample to NCDA&CS Agronomics Division (directions on how to collect and submit a sample for diagnosis can be found on page 2 of the nematode assay form).
Supplemental Information
Management of the guava root knot nematode in sweetpotatoes
Sweetpotato Root Knot Nematodes (Please contact your local cooperative extension agent for control recommendations.)
