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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285651
Title: Site-specific management of meloidogyne chitwoodi in Idaho potatoes using 1,3-dichloropropene; approach, experiences, and economics

Author
item King, Bradley - Brad
item TABERNA, JR, JOHN - Western Ag Research

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2013
Publication Date: 1/30/2014
Citation: King, B.A., Taberna, J.P., Jr. 2013. Site-specific management of meloidogyne chitwoodi in Idaho potatoes using 1,3-dichloropropene; approach, experiences, and economics. Journal of Nematology. 45(3):202-213.

Interpretive Summary: Fumigation for nematode management in irrigated potato production systems of Idaho is widely practiced. During 2002-2008, 62 fields intended for commercial potato production in eastern Idaho were sampled using a geo-referenced grid sampling system for plant-parasitic nematode population densities. In total, 4,030 grid samples were collected representing nearly 3200 ha of commercial potato production. Collectively, 73% of the grid samples had no Columbia Root Knot (CRN) (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) or CRN densities below the detectable limit. Site-specific fumigation is the practice of varying application rate of fumigant based on nematode population density. In 2007, 640 ha of potato production were site-specific fumigated for CRN nematode control in eastern Idaho. On average, this practice resulted in a 30% reduction in chemical usage and production cost savings of $209 ha-1 when 1,3-dichloropropene is used as the sole-source of nematode suppression. Further reductions in usage of 1,3-dichloropropene can exceed 50% if used in combination with a nonfumigant nematicide such as oxamyl. This combination approach can have production cost savings exceeding $200 ha-1. Based on farm-gate receipts and USDA inspections provided by potato producers from 2001-2011, potato tuber yield and quality have not been adversely affected using site-specific fumigation.

Technical Abstract: Fumigation for nematode management in irrigated potato production systems of Idaho is widely practiced. Spatially uniform fumigation with large scale soil injection equipment is the only labeled application method for 1,3-dichloropropene. Plant-parasitic nematode species exhibit spatially variable population densities that provide an opportunity to practice site-specific fumigation to reduce chemical usage and production costs. During 2002-2008, 62 fields intended for commercial potato production in eastern Idaho were sampled using a geo-referenced grid sampling system for plant-parasitic nematode population densities. In total, 4,030 grid samples were collected representing nearly 3200 ha of commercial potato production. Collectively, 73% of the grid samples had no Columbia Root Knot (CRN) (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) or CRN densities below the detectable limit. Site-specific fumigation is the practice of varying application rate of fumigant based on nematode population density. In 2007, 640 ha of potato production were site-specific fumigated for CRN nematode control in eastern Idaho. On average, this practice resulted in a 30% reduction in chemical usage and production cost savings of $209 ha-1 when 1,3-dichloropropene is used as the sole-source of nematode suppression. Further reductions in usage of 1,3-dichloropropene can exceed 50% if used in combination with a nonfumigant nematicide such as oxamyl. This combination approach can have production cost savings exceeding $200 ha-1. Based on farm-gate receipts and USDA inspections provided by potato producers from 2001-2011, potato tuber yield and quality have not been adversely affected using site-specific fumigation.