What is a cultural management practice for reducing plant parasitic nematode damage?

Maintaining vigorous turfgrass health is a key cultural management practice for reducing plant parasitic nematode damage. Healthy turfgrass is more resilient and better able to withstand stress, including pest infestations. A vigorous grass plant has a more robust root system, which can help it access nutrients and water more effectively, potentially mitigating the impact of nematodes. Furthermore, healthy turf tends to have increased resistance to disease and pests, and it can outcompete weeds that may harbor nematodes or provide alternate hosts.

In contrast, applying high levels of chemical fertilizers can lead to nutrient imbalances and might even stress the plants, making them more susceptible to nematode damage. Frequent irrigation to saturate the soil can create conditions that favor nematodes and increase water logging, which is detrimental to turf health. Regularly planting new grass species might introduce new problems, as certain species could be more susceptible to specific nematode pests or may not thrive in the existing conditions, leading to poor overall turf health. Hence, focusing on maintaining vigorous turfgrass health is the most effective strategy among the options provided for managing nematode populations.