Effectiveness of Certain Nematicides for Control of Macroposthonia xenoplax and Short Life of Peach Trees. Eldon I. Zehr, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631. Stephen A. Lewis, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, and C. E. Gambrell, Jr., Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631. Plant Dis. 66:225-228. Accepted for publication 11 May 1981. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-225.

Dibromochloropropane was very effective as a preplant and postplant nematicide for Macroposthonia xenoplax control in a peach orchard where short life became severe 1 yr after planting. Prevention of tree loss and stimulated growth accompanied nematode control. Oxamyl as a foliar spray partially suppressed nematode populations and improved tree vigor in 3-yr-old trees, but it appeared to reduce growth of trees in their first year and did not improve tree survival. As postplant treatments, ethylene dibromide, 1,3-dichloropropene, and fenamiphos temporarily suppressed M. xenoplax; however, the effect did not persist and the treatments did not prevent tree death. Evidence of weakness during fall months was an indication of susceptibility to peach tree short life.

Keyword(s): bacterial canker, cold injury, Pseudomonas syringae.