Pear - swelling on roots

[Matt S]

Not sure if this is a problem but I don't know a lot about pears.
Today I was repotting a pear that started as a root cutting about 6 years ago and I noticed a lot of these unusual swellings in the roots, mostly on the thicker roots. Any ideas what this is?

pear roots 1.JPG

pear roots 2.JPG

For those interested I collected this from my in-laws farm near Callington, S.A.
The farm was sold in 2011 and so I collected some Eucalyptus seeds and this sucker from the base of an old pear tree that was growing by a river. It grew in a plastic pot until 2 years ago when I moved it to the current orchid pot and started pruning it to shape.

pear.JPG

Matt.

[robb63]

Hi Matt
I like your pear but especially I like the history [story] of this little tree
I know nothing of pears but I have seen a similar problem on roots of unrelated varieties.
It was an insect inside the roots, not sure what type or if yours is the same but by opening up
the swelling you will see if there is any sign of a grub. If you haven't already tried that.
It may be normal so I hope it survives and thrives for you.
cheers

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

Root Knot Nematodes??

[terryb]

Root Knot Nematodes??

Root knot certainly affects some stone fruit (as well as a whole bunch of other things), not sure about pome fruit.
@Matt S - pm sent

[Paul W]

Yes nematodes,had it on a pear a few years ago and asked Ray Nesci ( Mr Google) and that's what he said it was, put a couple of confidore tabs in and they went over time.

[treeman]

Yes looks like root nematodes. I would be surprized if confidor helped but I hope it could! RKN are extremely resistant to insecticides. There are only a couple of chems that are registered against them and they are not available to the public. Frequent kelp combined with vermicompost tea seems to help.

[Matt S]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I was hoping it wasn't nematodes as they're tough little buggers to beat, but I'll assume that's the problem and start treatment.

robb63 - I agree, it's nice when a tree has a little history attachéd to it!

Matt.

[tgward]

I would make sure any soil is kept separate at repot, is binned and not mixed with any other potting mix

[terryb]

I would make sure any soil is kept separate at repot, is binned and not mixed with any other potting mix

Sound advice. While the females remain attached to the roots, there will be infective juveniles in the soil