Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations: Nematode Control

Pub 360, Fruit Production Recommendations > Chapter 9, Other Pests and Disorders > Nematode Control

Excerpt from Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations, 2010-11
Order this publication

1. Nematode control
2. Cover crops for nematode suppression
3. Other cultural practices to reduce nematodes
4. Soil fumigation
   
   • Table 9-2. Control of Nematodes and and Other Soil-borne Pests before Planting Fruit Crops (PDF 107 kb)
5. Application of fumigants before planting
6. Fumigating single tree sites before planting replacement trees
7. Nematode suppression after planting
8. Other topics in Other Pests and Disorders
   • Nematodes - Symptoms and Thresholds
   • Deer Control
   • Mouse and Vole Control in Orchards
   • Controlling Rabbits
   • Bird Control
   • Control of Southwest Injury on Fruit Trees
   • Preventing Heat Stress and Fruit Sunburn on Apple and Pear Trees
9. Chapter 9 - Other Pests and Disorders - PDF 240 kb
10. Related Links

Nematode control

Use a combination of the following methods to manage nematodes:

• rotate susceptible crops with non-host crops for several years
• plant nematode-suppressing cover crops
• destroy residual crop roots
• plant resistant fruit cultivars
• control weeds
• use soil fumigation when necessary

Cover crops for nematode suppression:

Examples of nematode-suppressing cover crops:

• oilseed radish
• certain oriental mustards cultivars like Forage or Cutlass
• specific sorghum × sudan-grass hybrids
• African marigold cultivars like Crackerjack or Creole
• Canadian Forage Pearl Millet 101

These cover crops can reduce plant parasitic nematode populations. Not all cultivars reduce nematode populations, so choose the right variety. One or more years of nematode-suppressing cover crops may be required to successfully reduce nematodes below economic thresholds.

Cover crops suppress nematodes in different ways.

• Canadian Forage Pearl Millet 101 inhibits the ability of nematodes to reproduce in its root-system.
• Certain cultivars of African marigolds produce a root exudate that kills nematodes in the soil.
• Nematode-suppressing cultivars of oilseed radish and certain oriental mustards produce isothiocyanate in their leaves, stems and petioles, which is toxic to the plant parasitic nematode when released into the soil. To be effective, these crops must be cut green and immediately incorporated into the soil.

Exclude cover crops such as clovers and buckwheat from berry and orchard rotations. These are excellent hosts for root-lesion nematodes. Wheat or barley are the best cereal crops to grow before planting. For more information, see Table 3-18. Characteristics of Cover Crops.

If a cereal grain is to be used for one whole growing season, wheat or barley is the best choice. For more information, see Characteristics of Cover Crops Grown in Ontario at ontario.ca/crops.

Other cultural practices to reduce nematodes

Nematode populations can build on many weed species. A good weed control program is essential the year before planting fruit crops. Be sure to control weeds where nematode-suppressing cover crops are grown. .

Keep land fallow the year before planting to reduce nematode numbers. A disadvantage to fallow land is increased susceptibility to soil erosion.

In orchards, choose ground covers between the rows that do not support nematodes, such as annual or perennial ryegrass.

Soil Fumigation

Pre-plant soil fumigation is the most effective method of controlling nematode problems. Fumigants can be broadcast over the whole field or applied only in bands where trees will be planted. Tree-row application, or the treatment of a 2-2.5 m strip centered on the row, is more economical.

For products, rates and other information on fumigants refer to Table 9-2. Control of Nematodes and Other Soil-borne Pests before Planting Fruit Crops.

Table 9-2. Control of Nematodes and Other Soil-borne Pests before Planting Fruit Crops (PDF 117 kb)

Product (Ontario classi-fication number)	% active	Nema-todes	Soil-borne dis-eases	Weeds	Fruit crop registra-tions	Rates for shank in-jection	Rates for sprinkler appli-cation
Busan 1020 (Class 4)	metam sodium 33%	yes	yes	yes	fruit crops	375-935 L/ha	700-935 L/ha
Busan 1180 (Class 3)	metam potassium 54%	yes	yes	yes	fruit crops	231-576 L/ha	431-576 L/ha
Busan 1236 (Class 4)	metam sodium 42%	yes	yes	yes	fruit crops	274-683 L/ha	511-683 L/ha
Chloropicrin 100 (Class 2)	chloropicrin 99%	yes	yes	no	strawberries, raspberries	93 L/ha*	Do not apply with sprinklers
Enfuse M 510 (Class 4)	metam sodium 42%	yes	yes	yes	fruit crops		Do not apply with sprinklers
Pic Plus (Class 2)	chloropicrin 85.1%	yes**	yes	no	strawberries, raspberries	108 L/ha***	Do not apply with sprinklers
Telone II (Class 3)	1,3 dichloropropene 97.5%	yes	no	no	strawberries, raspberries	170 L/ha****	Do not apply with sprinklers
					deciduous orchards, grapes	200 L/ha****
Telone C-17 (Class 3)	1, 3 dichloropropene (81.2%) and chloropicrin (16.5%)	yes	yes	no	strawberries, raspberries	200-380 L/ha *****	Do not apply with sprinklers
					deciduous orchards, grapes	280 L/ha
Vapam (Class 4)	metam sodium 38g/L	yes	yes	yes	fruit crops	375-975 L/ha	470-900 L/ha
Vapam HL (Class 4)	metam sodium 42%	yes	yes	yes	fruit crops	279-696 L/ha	350-670 L/ha

* See Pesticide Classification in Ontario for explanation of Ontario pesticide classifications.
* Use 140 L/ha Chloropicrin 100 for strawberry plant production (runner production).
** Pic Plus is labelled for root knot nematode but is not labelled for root lesion nematode.
*** Use 162 L/ha PicPlus for strawberry plant production (runner production).
**** These rates are for mineral soils. See label for rates on muck soils.
***** Use higher rate for repeat cropping or for control of soil-borne diseases such as Verticillium.

Application of fumigants before planting

Most fumigants are applied by shank injection using specialized application equipment. Some formulations of Vapam and Busan can be applied to the soil surface and watered in. See the product label for application instructions.

• Fumigate when soil temperatures are above 4°C. Warmer temperatures (15°C and over) are preferred for more rapid fumigant dispersal in the soil. Fumigation the fall before planting is best for fruit crops, which are planted in early spring when soils are still cool.
• Land preparation is critical for effective fumigant application. Remove trash and old root systems. One week prior to fumigation, work the soil to a depth of 25-30 cm and obtain good seedbed condition with regard to tilth and moisture. Keep soil moist and if necessary irrigate the treated area during the week prior to fumigation.
• Seal the soil surface by packing or watering immediately after injection of the fumigant. For best results, keep the soil surface moist during application and for 24 hours after application. .
• Leave soil undisturbed at least one week after injection of the fumigant. Colder soils (below 15°C) require longer periods from injection to aeration.
• Work the soil and aerate for about a week before planting. For fall planting, work the soil and aerate for two weeks before planting. The time interval between fumigation and planting into fumigated soil depends upon the product used, the rate and the temperature following fumigation (consult product label).
• Use high-quality planting stock, preferably grown in fumigated soil.
• Always read the product label.