119 



A very small eel- 

 like worm, called 

 nematode, (Hcterod- 

 era radicicola) some- 

 times attacks the soy 

 bean root and causes 

 irregular e n 1 a r g e- 

 ments on it. The en- 

 largements are mis- 

 taken by some for 

 nodules caused by 

 nitrogen - gathering 

 ])acteria, peculiar to 

 this plant. Where 

 the soil is badly in- 

 fested with this in- 

 sect, the farmer is 

 advised to plant some 

 other crop that is not 

 susceptible to its at- 

 tack. 



The soy bean suf- 

 fers from a disease 

 that attacks the un- 

 derground part of the 

 plant and causes the 

 leaves and stem to 

 wilt. When the plant 

 is examined, it is 

 noticed that the bark 

 is soft, and the woody 

 part of the stem dark. 

 This darkening of the 

 stem is due to a mic- 

 roscopic fungus (Fus- 

 arium trocheiphilum- 

 Smith), which is said 

 to be the same organism that produces the wilt of cow- 

 peas. When a lield becomes infested with this disease, 

 it should not be planted in soy beans or cowpeas sus- 

 ceptible to wilt. 



Root rot attacks the soy bean plant and causes a 

 wilting of the leaves, followed by the death of the 

 entire i)lant. When the ])lant is pulled up, a mat of 

 Avliite fluffy mold is usually found on the stem directly 

 below the |)()liil where the stem enters the ground. On 



Diseased Soy Bean Root Sliow- 

 ing the EfTeets of Nematodes 



