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Title: TEMPERATURE-ENHANCED EFFICACY OF METHYL ISOTHIOCYANATE FOR SOILBORNE PESTS CONTROL

Author
item MA, Q - UC RIVERSIDE, CA
item BECKER, J - UC RIVERSIDE, CA
item GAN, J - UC RIVERSIDE, CA
item Dungan, Robert - Rob
item Schneider, Sharon
item Yates, Scott

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2000
Publication Date: 11/6/2000
Citation: Ma, Q.L., Becker, J.O., Gan, J., Dungan, R.S., Papiernik, S.K., Yates, S.R. 2000. Temperature-enhanced efficacy of methyl isothiocyanate for soilborne pests control. Abstract. 2000 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emission Reduction. Orlando, FL. Nov. 6-9, 2000. Paper No. 99. pp. 99-1 to 99-3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil solarization has been reported as an effective practice for the control of soilborne pests and pathogens near the soil surface in warm, sunny climates. Integration of soil solarization with fumigation may allow for effective pest control at reduced fumigation rates since heat tends to weaken soil pests. We investigated the relationships between temperature, fumigant application rate, and efficacy of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) for control of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) juveniles, barnyardgrass, and fusarium oxysporum under controlled conditions. Treatments with no fumigant application indicated some efficacy against nematodes and fungi at 40 C. Solarization alone may be effective against these pests in the near-surface soil. With fumigation, the viability of the nematode, fungus, and weed seeds decreased significantly with increasing temperature from 20 to 40 C. These results indicate that the efficacy of MITC for control of nematodes, fungi, and weeds is enhanced at elevated temperature. Increased MITC activity may allow the used of reduced fumigant applications rate for adequate pest control when integrated with soil solarization, reducing the cost of production and the risk of environmental contamination by fumigants.