Articles
DIMETHYL DISULPHIDE (DMDS): A POTENTIAL NOVEL NEMATICIDE AND SOIL DISINFECTANT
Article number
698_6
Pages
57 – 64
Language
English
Abstract
The nematicidal effects of the volatile sulphur compound dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) are tested against potato cyst nematodes and root-knot nematodes to analyse the capacity as a possible alternative to methyl bromide (MB) and other soil disinfectants.
Experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions against potato cyst and root-knot nematodes on potato and tomato.
Five rates (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 ml per dm3 soil) were tested and compared with nematicides such as methyl bromide and aldicarb.
At all rates, DMDS showed some toxicity to tomato plants, when seedlings were transplanted immediately after soil treatment but there was no toxicity when seedlings were transplanted 5 days after treatment.
At 0.3, 0.6 and 0.8 ml per dm3 soil, DMDS reduced potato cyst nematode development and root-knot disease incidence on tomato as well as plant parasitic nematode soil population density (by 90% relative to the untreated control). Number of eggs and juveniles per cyst was not significantly different among the treatments but growth of the potato plant was better in all concentrations of DMDS. At lower rates (0.3 ml), DMDS increased soil population densities of saprophytic nematodes more than methyl bromide, aldicarb and the higher DMDS rate (0.8 ml). The lower application rate (0.3 ml) was considered to be the best for reducing both potato cyst and root-knot nematode populations, for increasing plant growth and saprophytic nematode populations.
The influence of DMDS on biological agents, such as bacteria and fungi, should be taken into account when developing a biological management programme against potato cyst nematodes and root knot nematodes.
Experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions against potato cyst and root-knot nematodes on potato and tomato.
Five rates (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 ml per dm3 soil) were tested and compared with nematicides such as methyl bromide and aldicarb.
At all rates, DMDS showed some toxicity to tomato plants, when seedlings were transplanted immediately after soil treatment but there was no toxicity when seedlings were transplanted 5 days after treatment.
At 0.3, 0.6 and 0.8 ml per dm3 soil, DMDS reduced potato cyst nematode development and root-knot disease incidence on tomato as well as plant parasitic nematode soil population density (by 90% relative to the untreated control). Number of eggs and juveniles per cyst was not significantly different among the treatments but growth of the potato plant was better in all concentrations of DMDS. At lower rates (0.3 ml), DMDS increased soil population densities of saprophytic nematodes more than methyl bromide, aldicarb and the higher DMDS rate (0.8 ml). The lower application rate (0.3 ml) was considered to be the best for reducing both potato cyst and root-knot nematode populations, for increasing plant growth and saprophytic nematode populations.
The influence of DMDS on biological agents, such as bacteria and fungi, should be taken into account when developing a biological management programme against potato cyst nematodes and root knot nematodes.
Publication
Authors
J. Coosemans
Keywords
nematicide, potato cysts, root-knot nematode, methyl bromide alternative, dimethyl disulphide
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