Background: Two field experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy and field performance of three new non-fumigant chemical nematicides (fluensulfone, fluopyram, and fluazaindolizine) and two biological nematicides (Burkholderia rinojensis strain A396 and Purpureocillium lilacinus strain 251) for management of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) on tomato and associated double-crops in Florida.
Results: In experiment 1, soil fumigation with metam potassium increased plant growth and reduced root galling on tomato by 77% relative to that of the untreated soil. All non-fumigant chemical nematicides reduced root galling on tomato (47-85% reduction); however, only fluensulfone showed a trend towards yield enhancement. In experiment 2, soil fumigation with chloropicrin increased plant growth and reduced root galling on tomato by 35% relative to that of the untreated soil; however, end-of-season populations of M. javanica in soil were larger than that of the non-fumigated soil. Fluensulfone showed a trend towards reduced root galling and enhanced fruit yield, whereas other non-fumigant nematicides did not. Double-cropped cucumber was 69% more galled when planted into soil previously fumigated with chloropicrin relative to that of untreated soil, and also showed reduced plant vigor and fruit yield.
Conclusion: Fluensulfone shows significant potential to be a component of an integrated pest management strategy for tomato in Florida. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
Keywords: Meloidogyne javanica; fluazaindolizine; fluensulfone; fluopyram; nematicides; tomato production.
© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.