The ATP method for rapid assessment of the efficacy of a single application of a fumigant against Globodera spp. in field soils

Abstract

SUMMARYPopulation estimates were carried out for Globodera pallida by both visual egg counts and measurement of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of cysts from 26 fields in Northern England. The two methods agreed for seven non‐fumigated fields but covariance analysis suggested that the visual assessment underestimated mortality for all 19 fields shortly after a single treatment with a fumigant nematicide. Both methods indicated that three fields were safe for cropping for potatoes but the ATP method suggested that cropping was possible on a further eight fields considered unsuitable by visual assessments.The results indicated that a high peat content contributed to the low efficacy of the fumigants in three fields. Comparison with previous results for the ATP method using cysts from 40 Dutch fields suggested that fumigation in early autumn was required for a satisfactory single treatment. The results show that the ATP method can assess the efficacy of a single application of a fumigant for economic control in time to allow retreatment when necessary or a change in the decision to plant potatoes the following season.