VIEW ARTICLE

Disease Control and Pest Management

Effect of Film Mulch, Trickle Irrigation, and DD-MENCS on Nematodes, Fungi, and Vegetable Yields in a Multicrop Production System. A. W. Johnson, Nematologist, Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Coastal Plain Station, Tifton, GA 31794; D. R. Sumner(2), and C. A. Jaworski(3). (2)Associate professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, and soil scientist, Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research, U. S. Department of Agriculture, respectively. Coastal Plain Station, Tifton, GA 31794. Phytopathology 69:1172-1175. Accepted for publication 24 April 1979. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1979. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-69-1172.

Field plots of Tifton loamy sand were treated with various rates of DD-MENCS (20% methyl isothiocyanate + 80% chlorinated C₃ hydrocarbons) and covered with black polyethylene film mulch. Trickle irrigation under the film mulch was used when cucumber, squash, and cucumber were grown in succession in these plots. The soil was assayed for nematodes and fungi, and the plant roots were evaluated for root-knot nematode and fungal damage. Soil treatments with DD-MENCS at 107, 161, 215, 269, 322, and 376 kg/ha reduced nematode and fungal populations on cucumber and on squash early in the growing season. Growth and yield of cucumber were greatest when nematodes and fungi were controlled. Nematode control based on root-gall indices in plots treated with DD-MENCS at 215 kg/ha was significantly greater than in untreated plots 54 days after the third crop (cucumber) was planted. The recommended rate of DD-MENCS (376 kg/ha) for control of nematodes and fungi under conventional production practices can be reduced by 43% and still maintain adequate pest control and yield increase of vegetable crops under the film-mulch and trickle irrigation production system.