The use of fluensulfone for the control of root-knot nematodes in greenhouse cultivated crops: Efficacy and phytotoxicity effects

Abstract

A recently released non-fumigant nematicide, fluensulfone, belonging to the fluoroalkenyl chemical group, fluensulfone, was tested against field populations of root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne sp. in commercial cucumber and tomato greenhouses. It was delivered through the drip irrigation system at doses from 12 to 72 ml 100 m−1. The application of fluensulfone substantially reduced nematode multiplication either in tomato or cucumber cultivation at all doses above 24 ml 100 m−1. Plants cultivated in plots treated with fluensulfone produced significantly more fruits throughout the cropping season for both crops. However, in tomato cultivation, doses higher than 36 ml 100 m−1 have shown a high number of dead plants a fact which was not recorded in cucumber cultivation. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate any possible phytotoxicity of fluensulfone. Three solanaceous (tomato, pepper, and eggplant) and three cucurbitaceous (cucumber, squash and melon) plants were used. The root growth and the seed germination were affected when the recommended dose of fluensulfone was used.

Keywords

• root-knot nematodes
• efficacy
• phytotoxicity
• fluoroalkenyl group
• greenhouse vegetable production
• root development