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Soil Fumigation and Fall Pruning Related to Peach Tree Short Life. William C. Nesmith, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631, Present address of senior author: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 27607; William M. Dowler, Research Plant Pathologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631. Phytopathology 65:277-280. Accepted for publication 27 September 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-277.

Soil was fumigated with 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in October 1972 under 2-year-old peach (Prunus persica 'Coronet') trees in a problem orchard infested with Criconemoides xenoplax. Trees in fumigated soil showed improved vigor, increased tree survival, and increased cold-hardiness, as measured by electrolytic conductance. Fall pruning decreased cold-hardiness, vigor, and survival. The nematode population in fumigated soil was 50% of that in check soil. A second fumigation in May 1973 resulted in much better nematode control and a significant reduction in the severity of late-summer defoliation attributed to Xanthomonas pruni. Check trees with high or low nematode population showed no significant differences in defoliation. These results suggest that fumigation may have benefits in addition to nematode control.