Sugarcane yield can be reduced by plant-parasitic nematodes, especially in clay soil. A study in Okinawa, Japan, found that treating the soil with a nematicide led to a 20-25% higher yield in the ratoon crop compared to untreated soil. This shows that protecting the plant crop from nematodes can improve the yield of the ratoon crop. The number of tillers and cane length in the ratoon crop can indicate the level of nematode damage and predict the crop yield.