Pest Management Science (2014) 70, 219-227

Aocheng Cao, Meixia Guo, Dongdong Yan, Liangang Mao, Qiuxia Wang, Yuan Li, Xiayu Duan and Peisheng Wang (2014)
Evaluation of sulfuryl fluoride as a soil fumigant in China
Pest Management Science 70 (2), 219-227
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Root-knot nematodes and soil-borne diseases constrain the rapid development of protected agriculture in China, especially while phasing out methyl bromide (MB). The fumigant sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is currently used as an alternative to MB for the disinfestation of buildings and post-harvest commodities. Our experiments aimed to evaluate a novel application of SF as a soil fumigant in greenhouses in China.
RESULTS
Dose-response experiments indicated that SF has good efficacy on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and moderate activity against Fusarium spp. and weeds (Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. and Abutilon theophrasti Medicus). The field trials indicates that SF has good efficacy, between 80 and 94%, on Meloidogyne spp., and Fusarium spp. at the rates of 25-50 g m⁻² in tomato and cucumber in Beijing and Shandong Province. Marketable yield and plant vigour was not significantly different in SF and MB treatments. SF has lower emissions than MB during the fumigation operation. It is simple to apply, can be used at low temperature, and has a short plant-back time. SF was found to be an economically feasible alternative to MB for nematode control in China.
CONCLUSION
SF can be used as a soil fumigant to control root-knot nematodes and to reduce the levels of key soil pathogens.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Digitaria sanguinalis (weed)
	Abutilon theophrasti (weed)