A highly pathogenic and aggressive roundworm that is difficult to eradicate and thrives on sweet potato, cucumber, capsicum, butternut pumpkin, snake bean, zucchini and chilli plants, has been detected by biosecurity staff on several farms in the Northern Territory, and could have already been present in Darwin areas for as long as a year, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has said.

In a statement chief plant health officer Dr Anne Walters said guava root-knot nematode, which is known by the scientific name, Meloidogyne enterolobii, was detected in four farms in Middle Point, Jingili, Palmerston and Malak but did not say when.

“The plant pest was identified from a sample of cucumber roots taken from a farm and was examined at a laboratory on Berrimah Farm,” she said.

She said samples were taken from an unspecified number of locations in the Darwin area for laboratory analysis because they were concerned the pest may have already been present in Darwin areas for as long as a year.

Dr Walters said they are working to assess how far the pest has spread in the NT but did not say why she thought it may have been present for a year.

The department said the pest thrives on sweet potato, cucumber, capsicum, butternut pumpkin, snake bean, zucchini and chilli plants, and they were tracing to see if it had already spread from the Territory to other jurisdictions.

Dr Walters said the pest spreads through the transport of soil attached to machinery, tools, footwear, and plant products.

“Since the eradication of Meliodogyne enterolobii can prove to be difficult, the department’s biosecurity staff is already in the process of working and liaising with agriculture industry stakeholders and growers to prevent the pest’s further infestation,” she said.

Symptoms include stunted growth, wilting, yellow leaves and deformation, Dr Walters said.

You can report Meliodogyne enterolobii by emailing plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au or calling 8999 2118.