Dog roundworm

Toxocara canis is a parasitic nematode belonging to the family Toxocaridae. In agricultural science, it is recognized as a significant soil-borne contaminant rather than a plant pest, causing major biosafety issues for small-scale farms and vegetable production plots.

The parasite does not directly damage plant physiology, leaves, or roots. However, it creates a severe agricultural hazard by contaminating fresh produce. As vegetables and strawberries are often in close contact with the ground, they can become vehicles for the transmission of parasite eggs, which pose a direct threat to human health upon consumption.

The life cycle is characterized by high resilience of eggs in the topsoil. Once deposited by host animals, eggs can remain infectious for several years. They thrive in moist, shaded environments, such as dense plant canopies, which protect them from UV radiation and desiccation, allowing them to accumulate in the soil over time.

The economic impact is linked to the rejection of contaminated produce and the loss of market value for farms failing to meet sanitary standards. The presence of these nematodes forces growers to invest in additional washing and disinfection processes or, in extreme cases, makes land unsuitable for growing low-to-ground crops without significant intervention.

Management strategies include restricting the movement of domestic and stray animals across fields, implementing proper composting techniques (ensuring heat buildup to kill eggs), and utilizing soil covers or mulch. Mechanical soil treatment and crop rotation can also help reduce the concentration of these contaminants in the surface layer.