Yield increases in burrowing nematode-infested anthurium with fluopyram and trifloxystrobin applications

Authors: Myers, Roxana; BUSHE, BRIAN - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII; Mello, Cathy; LICHITY, JOANNE - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII; HARA, ARNOLD - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII; WANG, KOON-HUI - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII; SIPES, BRENT - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/2020
Publication Date: 8/28/2020
Citation: Myers, R.Y., Bushe, B., Mello, C.L., Lichity, J., Hara, A., Wang, K., Sipes, B.S. 2020. Yield increases in burrowing nematode-infested anthurium with fluopyram and trifloxystrobin applications. HortTechnology. 30(5):603-607. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04648-20.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04648-20

Interpretive Summary: Anthuriums are an important cut flower for the Hawaii nursery industry. Production can be optimized by managing pests and diseases detrimental to the crop. Burrowing nematodes cause severe destruction of the root system and stunting of anthurium plants which negatively affect the size and yield of cut flowers. Fluopyram was tested for its efficacy against burrowing nematodes in field trials at two commercial grower farms. At one location, nematode populations were reduced by 57% within six months. After 14 months, treated plants had 43% greater leaf mass and 53% more cut flower production. In another farm trial, up to 45% improvement in leaf mass was seen after 12 months. Flower size was positively affected by fluopyram applications with more extra-large cut flowers being harvested from treated plots. With improvements to plant growth and flower production, fluopyram shows promise as a management tool for burrowing nematodes in anthurium field production.

Technical Abstract: Burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) causes severe stunting and yield reduction in anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) cut flower production. Two field trials were conducted at commercial grower farms to test the efficacy of fluopyram or fluopyram+trifloxystrobin for managing burrowing nematodes. Nematode population densities in roots and cinder media were evaluated during the trial in addition to cut flower yield and canopy cover. In the first trial, the nematode population in roots was reduced by 57% after two applications of fluopyram 3 months apart. As plant health improved, the increasing anthurium root weight supported higher nematode populations. After 14 months, fluopyram-treated plots had 43% more green canopy cover and a 53% increase in flower production compared with the untreated control plots. At a second location, population densities of burrowing nematode were reduced in roots after one application of fluopyram+trifloxystrobin and remained low with quarterly applications. Nematode populations were initially reduced in fluopyram-treated plots followed by a resurgence as demonstrated in the other trial. Ten months after the initial treatment, flower yield was greater in fluopyram+trifloxystrobin-treated plots with more large and extra-large flowers produced. Canopy cover was 45% and 22% greater with fluopyram+trifloxystrobin and fluopyram applications, respectively. Fluopyram shows potential for management of burrowing nematodes in anthurium by improving plant vigor and cut flower production.