Root-Knot Nematode Management in Tropical Cropping Systems with Organic Products

ABSTRACT Several products acceptable for organically-certified produce were evaluated in the field for their ability to control root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in tropical cropping systems. In the first evaluation, tomato yield and nematode reproduction were recorded in plots treated with Nematrol (a ground sesame product) at 129, 256, 516, or 774 kg/ha (115, 230, 460, and 690 lb/ac); composted chicken manure at 11.2 or 22.4 T/ha (5 or 10 ton/ac); or blood meal at 8.3 or 12 T/ha (2.7 or 5.4 ton/ac). Plots treated with fenamiphos (7 or 14 g a.i./m row; 0.08 or 0.15 oz/ft) or left untreated were included as controls. Tomato yield was greatest in the 14 g (0.15 oz) a.i. fenamiphos-treated plots and lowest in the untreated plots. Nematrol at all rates gave better control than the untreated. Blood meal at the high rate may have been toxic to the tomatoes. In a second experiment, root-knot nematode control in basil with Nematrol (258 kg/ha; 230 lb/ac) or Clandosan (4.5 T/ha; 2 ton/ac) was compared to ...