VIEW ARTICLE

Effect of Annual Soil Fumigation and Preharvest Vine Burning on Verticillium Wilt of Potato. G. D. Easton, Associate Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, Washington 99350; M. E. Nagle(2), and D. L. Bailey(3). (2)(3)Senior Experimental Aide, and Assistant Experimental Aide, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, Washington 99350. Phytopathology 62:520-524. Accepted for publication 7 December 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-520.

Annual spring fumigation for 5 successive years reduced populations of Verticillium albo-atrum in field soils, delayed infection and wilt symptoms, and increased yields of potatoes. Annual preharvest burning of potato vines to destroy the microsclerotia in stem tissue increased yields when used for 2 successive years, but did not reduce either soil populations of V. albo-atrum or infection, nor did it delay wilt symptoms unless applied for 3 consecutive years. Results of annual combination treatments of soil fumigation and vine burning were similar to those for soil fumigation alone.