CONTROL OF THE POTATO CYST NEMATODE, GLOBODERA ROSTOCHIENSIS, WITH SOIL SOLARIZATION AND NEMATICIDES

A trial was undertaken in Italy in 1997/98 to assess the effectiveness of different soil treatments for the control of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, on potato. Soil solarization periods were four, six and eight weeks. The fumigant nematicides were applied seven months before planting at the rate of 150 l/ha 1,3-D and 500 kg/ha dazomet. The non-fumigant nernaticides were applied at the rate of 10 kg/ha aldicarb and fenamiphos and 12 kg/ha ethoprophos, as a single application before planting or split between planting and one month after potato germination. Maximum soil temperature 43-44 °C in solarized soil occurred at 10 cm depth. Nematode egg survival was 6.8-17, 27.8 and 6.1% in plots treated with soil solarization, dazomet and 1,3-D, respectively. These treatments and the non-volatile nematicides aldicarb, fenamiphos and ethoprophos significantly suppressed nematode reproduction with a split application of aldicarb giving the least (0.82) reproduction rate. All treatments greatly reduced the numbers of nematodes in potato roots. Marketable potato tuber yield increased significantly in all plots (20-43.4%) except in those treated with split applications of fenamiphos and ethoprophos.