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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169916
Title: EVALUATION OF LOSSES TO SNAPDRAGON FROM SOILBORNE PESTS AND DISEASES

Author
item MCSORELY, ROBERT - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item WANG, KOON WUI - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item Church, Gregory
item Burelle, Nancy

Submitted to: Proceedings of International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2004
Publication Date: 10/1/2004
Citation: McSorely, R., Wang, K., Church, G.T., Burelle, N. 2004. Evaluation of losses to snapdragon from soilborne pests and diseases. Proceedings of International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives. 33.1-33.2.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Field production of cut flowers in Florida has relied on soil fumigants such as methyl bromide for management of weeds, nematodes, and soilborne plant pathogens. Current work focuses on the development and performance of alternatives to methyl bromide, but little information is available on the potential losses to cut flowers if they are not protected by methyl bromide or an alternative chemical fumigant. Such information can be critical to regulatory agencies and others in recognizing the importance of soil fumigants in cut flower production. A field experiment was conducted on a commercial site in Martin Co., FL, during the 2003-04 season to evaluate the performance of several alternatives to methyl bromide and the potential losses from soilborne problems in snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) production. Five treatments were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications; methyl bromide + chloropicrin, metam sodium, metam sodium + chloropicrin, solarization, and nontreated control. Individual plots were 10.5 ft wide x 45 ft long. Methyl bromide (98%) + chloropicrin (2%) was injected in broadcast fashion at 450 lbs/acre. Metam sodium was drenched on to the soil surface at 75 gal/acre and rototilled to a depth of 8-12 in. For the metam sodium + chloropicrin treatment, chloropicrin was injected at 150 lbs/acre immediately after rototilling of metam sodium. Fumigant treatments were applied on Aug. 20, 2002, and immediately after application, all fumigated plots and solarized plots were covered with clear plastic sheeting that remained in place until Sept. 30. Control plots were not covered.