Evaluation of ethoprop and tetrathiocarbonate for reniform nematode control in pineapple.

Ethoprop and disodium tetrathiocarbonate (TTC) were evaluated as replacements of fenamiphos and 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) for control of Rotylenchulus reniformis on pineapple in Hawaii. Treatments were established in a field on the Del Monte Fresh Fruit (Hawaii) plantation in spring 1991. Preplant soil treatments consisted of fumigation with 1,3-D at 226 kg a.i./ha and TTC at 135 kg or 270 kg a.i./ha. Postplant nematicides for the 1,3-D treated plots were fenamiphos (3.4 kg a.i./ha trimonthly) and ethoprop (3.4 or 6.7 kg a.i./ha monthly). Tetrathiocarbonate was applied postplant to the TTC-treated plots every 2 months at 67 kg a.i./ha. Nematode population densities were monitored in all plots at 3-month intervals. Tetrathiocarbonate was not effective in reducing the preplant soil population densities of R. reniformis or limiting subsequent nematode damage to the plants. Ethoprop and fenamiphos reduced nematode damage, resulting in greater yield in the first and second crop harvests (P < 0.05). Ethoprop was an effective alternative to fenamiphos for control of R. reniformis in pineapple.