Evaluation of new chemical and biological nematicides for managing Meloidogyne javanica in tomato production and associated double-crops in Florida.

Abstract

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. 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. Fluensulfone shows significant potential to be a component of an integrated pest management strategy for tomato in Florida. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.