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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 #239097
Title: EVALUATION OF SPK, A NOVEL COMBINATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FOR ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE CONTROL IN TOMATO

Author
item Burelle, Nancy
item Rosskopf, Erin
item IRIARTE, FANNY

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Laboratory, greenhouse, and field microplot trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a novel combination of organic compounds, referred to as SPK, for control of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on tomato. SPK has zero ozone depletion potential, has a short half-life in soil (3-7 days), has low mammalian toxicity, is composed of widely available material, and is economically feasible for field-scale application. In laboratory studies complete control of nematode egg hatch was achieved at 0.4% SPK (v:v) and above. SPK at 0.2% resulted in a decrease in egg viability compared to the control. In greenhouse experiments, application rates of 6% SPK to soil controlled M. incognita J2 in both soil and tomato roots, and improved root condition ratings, while 9% SPK reduced root galling. In field microplot studies using tomatoes, SPK reduced the number of J2 in roots and soil at 5% and above, and reduced galling at 10% and higher. In addition to controlling nematodes, SPK is a broad-spectrum fungicide, and controls a variety of weed species including yellow and purple nutsedges (Cyperus esculentus and C. rotundus), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris), and pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus). A patent is currently pending on SPK in cooperation with researchers from the University of Florida.