Articles
Sustainability of southern European carrot production in relation to fumigation practices
Article number
1264_22
Pages
183 – 190
Language
English
Abstract
Carrot is an important vegetable crop in Europe covering an area of about 112,000 ha in 2015. France and Italy are among the main EU countries, considering both cultivated area and production value.
In Europe, carrot is severely affected by nematodes, the most important of them being the root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), the carrot cyst nematode (Heterodera carotae) and the lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.). To these pests carrot growers dedicate specific control measures every year aiming at increasing yield quantity and quality.
Considering the importance of the problem, a dedicated study was conducted to evaluate the role of soil fumigation on the control of nematodes compared with other control means, on the sustainability of carrot production in Europe.
The study analyzed the results of the scientific literature (120 studies reviewed) and was completed with information derived from an extensive survey among farmers, technical advisors and crop experts in Italy and France.
Based on this information and on statistical data from different sources, the benefits of soil fumigation on the socio-economics of carrot, were estimated.
In soils highly-infested with nematodes, the best chemical fumigants (1,3D and DMDS) reduced root crop infestation by more than 55% and increased carrot yield by more than 5 times that of untreated.
The survey indicated that, during the last years, the fumigated carrot area was of about 70% in Italy and 60% in France.
Just in the analyzed countries (Italy and France), because of the high nematode pressure, substitution of chemical fumigation with available alternatives would cause an economic loss of more than 120 million and a potential loss of job for 4,000 people (2,000 employees and 2,000 seasonal). Moreover, in most cases, cultivation of carrot would not continue in the future because it would not become any more sustainable.
The study clearly shows the need of a very effective chemical fumigation as part of an integrated pest management program for the control of different nematodes for carrot sustainability in Europe.
According to our study, the new fumigant, Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS with trade name in Europe of Accolade) performed as well as or even better than the best reference fumigant in controlling nematodes.
Therefore, considering its very good herbicide activity also against the emerging yellow nutsedge weeds (Cyperus spp.) problem, DMDS can become an important aid for carrot management after its registration in EU.
In Europe, carrot is severely affected by nematodes, the most important of them being the root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), the carrot cyst nematode (Heterodera carotae) and the lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.). To these pests carrot growers dedicate specific control measures every year aiming at increasing yield quantity and quality.
Considering the importance of the problem, a dedicated study was conducted to evaluate the role of soil fumigation on the control of nematodes compared with other control means, on the sustainability of carrot production in Europe.
The study analyzed the results of the scientific literature (120 studies reviewed) and was completed with information derived from an extensive survey among farmers, technical advisors and crop experts in Italy and France.
Based on this information and on statistical data from different sources, the benefits of soil fumigation on the socio-economics of carrot, were estimated.
In soils highly-infested with nematodes, the best chemical fumigants (1,3D and DMDS) reduced root crop infestation by more than 55% and increased carrot yield by more than 5 times that of untreated.
The survey indicated that, during the last years, the fumigated carrot area was of about 70% in Italy and 60% in France.
Just in the analyzed countries (Italy and France), because of the high nematode pressure, substitution of chemical fumigation with available alternatives would cause an economic loss of more than 120 million and a potential loss of job for 4,000 people (2,000 employees and 2,000 seasonal). Moreover, in most cases, cultivation of carrot would not continue in the future because it would not become any more sustainable.
The study clearly shows the need of a very effective chemical fumigation as part of an integrated pest management program for the control of different nematodes for carrot sustainability in Europe.
According to our study, the new fumigant, Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS with trade name in Europe of Accolade) performed as well as or even better than the best reference fumigant in controlling nematodes.
Therefore, considering its very good herbicide activity also against the emerging yellow nutsedge weeds (Cyperus spp.) problem, DMDS can become an important aid for carrot management after its registration in EU.
Authors
N. Greco, M. Saporiti, C. Maccarini, A. Santori, N. de Tommaso, A. Myrta
Keywords
nematodes, yellow nutsedge, soil fumigants, DMDS
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