EFFICACY OF DMDS AS A SOIL TREATMENT AGAINST MELOIDOGYNE CHITWOODI IN THE NETHERLANDS

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi is a quarantine nematode in the Netherlands which threatens seed potato production.
Since 2001 a new product for soil disinfestation was developed on the basis of dimethyl disulphide (DMDS). DMDS is a substance naturally present in some plants especially in Allium. Preliminary results are encouraging from the point of efficacy against root-knot nematodes, root-lesion nematodes and cyst nematodes.
In this situation DMDS could be an alternative to other soil disinfestation methods for Meloidogyne chitwoodi control.
The efficacy of the fumigant DMDS as a soil treatment against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi was tested in 2 field trials with potatoes in 2007 and 2008 with the collaboration of Wageningen University PPO-AGV.
After DMDS applications with dosages of 600 L/ha or more potato quality was nearly perfect with an index next to zero.
Fumigation of soil with DMDS against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodi resulted in a higher potato yield, a better potato quality and low nematodes counts after growing potato.

VII International Symposium on Chemical and Non-Chemical Soil and Substrate Disinfestation

P. Charles, J.-J. Heller

dimethyl disulphide, soil fumigation, the Netherlands, potatoes, Meloidogyne chitwoodi

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.883.23