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Title: METHYL IODIDE SOIL FUMIGATION FOR THE CONTROL OF PEACH PREPLANT DISORDER

Author
item EAYRE, CYNTHIA
item SIMS, JAMES - UNIV CALIF, RIVERSIDE
item OHR, H. - UNIV CALIF, RIVERSIDE

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/5/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: New orchard fruit trees planted in soil which has been in peach production within the last 2 to 3 years suffer replant disorder, indicated by reduced growth, light color leaves, delayed maturity and reduced yields. Economic losses occur throughout the life of the orchard. Methyl iodide treatment controlled peach replant disorder as effectively as methyl bromide. When the new soil fumigant is registered, it can benefit fruit growers and consumers by controlling replant disorder.

Technical Abstract: Peach replant soils were fumigated with methyl bromide or methyl iodide at rates of 392-448 kg ha-1. Peach tree growth was evaluated using trunk diameter and weight of branches removed by pruning. Trunk diameter of trees grown in fumigated plots was larger than trees in control plots in trials 1 and 2 and the differences were highly significant (p=0.01). There ewas no significant difference (p=0.05) between trunk growth in methyl iodide and methyl bromide treated plots in the first trial. Weight of branches pruned from trees grown in fumigated plots was larger than trees grown in control plots in trials 1 and 2,and the differences were highly significant (p=0.01). There was no significant difference between weights of branches pruned from trees grown in methyl iodide and methyl bromide fumigated plots. Methyl bromide and methyl iodide were equally effective in reducing Paratylenchus and Trichodorus nematode populations, and in controlling peach replant disorder.