California sweetpotato growers are busy prepping their fields ahead of planting. One of the biggest threats they face is damage inflicted from root-knot nematodes. These microscopic pests cause big problems for growers—just check out the photos of damage below.

Root-knot nematodes not only damage sweetpotato roots, they affect tuber quality as well. Nematodes attack developing plant roots, resulting in damage that manifests itself in many ways throughout the season. The images below show root galling and misshapen sweetpotatoes unfit for market.

When it comes to managing nematodes, TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant remains the gold standard. Because of where nematodes live, how they move, and what impacts them, no alternative matches TELONE™’s efficacy in reducing nematode populations deep within the soil.

By targeting nematodes before planting, TELONE™ helps growers give crops the best possible start. TELONE™ creates a protective zone around young roots during the first 6–8 weeks of growth, helping plants establish stronger, healthier root systems. This supports higher yields, better quality, and improved ROI for growers.

And for those exporting crops, TELONE™ provides additional peace of mind: it leaves zero residuals and meets EU market standards for sweetpotatoes grown in treated soil.