Soil fumigation for control ofSolanum nigrumL. in direct-seeded processing tomatoes

Abstract

SummarySoil fumigation with granular and liquid fumigants was tested over two seasons in a red loam and two self-mulching clays in the tomato-growing districts of S-E Australia. Granular dazomet was the most convenient fumigant to apply and gave the best weed control. Dazomet and metham-sodium gave equal weed control in a loamy sand soil. Dazomet followed by an irrigation reduced the numbers of weeds emerging with the tomato crop, lowered hand-hoeing costs and increased the final yield of tomatoes on the red loam. On one self-mulching clay hand-hoeing costs were reduced and final yields increased.