Abstract
Methyl bromide (MB), a dominant ozone-depleting substance, is scheduled to be completely phased out for soil fumigation by December 30th 2018, in China. The combined effects of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) plus metham sodium (MNa) were assessed in controlling soilborne pests for soil fumigation. A study was designed in laboratory for the evaluation of the efficacy of DMDS + MNa to control major soilborne pests. At the same time, two trials were conducted in cucumber field located in Tongzhou (in 2012) and Shunyi (in 2013), respectively, in order to assess the potential of DMDS + MNa in controlling soilborne pests. Laboratory studies disclosed positive synergistic effects of almost all four used combinations on Meloidogyne spp., Fusarium spp., Phytophthora spp., Abutilon theophrasti and Digitaria sanguinalis. Field trials found that DMDS + MNa (30 + 21 g a. i. m−2), both at a 50% reduced dose, effectively suppressed Meloidogyne spp. with a low root galling index (2.1% and 11.7%), significantly reduced the levels of Phytophthora and Fusarium spp. with a low root disease index (7.5% and 15.8%), gave very high cucumber yields (6.75 kg m−2 and 10.03 kg m−2), and increased income for cucumber growers with the highest economic benefits (20.91 ¥ m−2 and 23.58 ¥ m−2). The combination treatment provided similar results as MB standard dose treatment (40 g a. i. m−2) or DMDS standard dose treatment (60 g a. i. m−2) in pest control and yield, but was more effective than MNa standard dose treatment (42 g a. i. m−2). Usage of all chemical treatments gave better significant results than the untreated group of control. Considering the economic benefits, the DMDS plus MNa combination (30 + 21 g a. i. m−2) could be used for soil fumigation in cucumber production in China.
Highlights
Methyl bromide (MB), a dominant ozone-depleting substance, is scheduled to be completely phased out for soil fumigation by December 30th 2018, in China
Much information could be retrieved in the literature on combinations of Pic and 1,3-D11,15–21, Pic and MNa21, 1,3-D and DZ7,22, Pic and DMDS20, 1,3-D and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC)[23], Pic and methyl iodide (MeI)[24,25] and so on as MB chemical alternatives for other crops production
To control root-knot nematode, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) is proven effective to MB in China but elsewhere[16,17,29], which was confirmed in our both field trials
Summary
Methyl bromide (MB), a dominant ozone-depleting substance, is scheduled to be completely phased out for soil fumigation by December 30th 2018, in China. The combined effects of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) plus metham sodium (MNa) were assessed in controlling soilborne pests for soil fumigation. I. m−2) in pest control and yield, but was more effective than MNa standard dose treatment Methyl bromide (MB), an important soil fumigant, has widely been used to control soilborne pathogens, nematodes and weeds in areas of northern China. For example, 1,3-D/ DZ7, 1,3-D/Pic[5,11], DMDS/DZ12, 1,3-D/DMDS13 and 1,3-D/MNa14 have been tested to control soilborne pests for cucumber production. Combinations of DMDS plus DZ have been reported as an efficient alternative to MB in Europe and China[12,22,26] Both DZ and MNa are MITC generators. Little information was reported on combination of DMDS plus MNa in cucumber
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