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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #273195
Title: Hot water drench treatment for control of reniform nematodes in potted dracaena

Author
item Myers, Roxana
item HARA, ARNOLD - University Of Hawaii
item TSANG, MARCEL - University Of Hawaii

Submitted to: Nematropica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2012
Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Citation: Cabos, R.Y.M., A.H. Hara, M.M. Tsang. 2012. Hot water drench treatment for control of reniform nematodes in potted dracaena. Nematropica. 41:72:79.

Interpretive Summary: Reniform nematode is an important regulatory pest. Due to its devastating effects on yields of cotton and other agricultural crops, areas without the nematode have implemented quarantine restrictions to prevent its introduction. Foliage growers from infested areas must certify that their plant material and potting media is free of plant parasitic nematodes before exporting their products. To address post-plant contamination of reniform nematodes, a continuous hot water drenching system was tested to eradicate this pest from infested dracaena. Reniform nematodes were successfully eliminated in marketable age potted plants treated at 50°C for 10 minutes or longer. Plant quality was not affected by the hot water drench even at 52°C for 14 minutes.

Technical Abstract: A continuous hot water drench treatment was evaluated for disinfesting potted dracaena of reniform nematodes, Rotylenchulus reniformis. Modifications were made to a hot water shower container to allow the delivery of a continuous stream of hot water directly to the media and roots of infested plants. Reniform nematodes were successfully eliminated in dracaena of marketable age treated at 50°C for 10 minutes or longer. No evidence of thermal damage was observed on plants drenched with hot water even at 52°C for 14 minutes. Continuous drenching for 15 minutes at 50°C is recommended to ensure effective penetration of water through the media.