Title: Chemical control of nematodes: efficiency and side-effects
Headings: Chemical control of nematodes: efficiency and side-effects
Chemical control of nematodes: efficiency and side-effects
S.R. Gowen
Introduction
Chemical control of nematodes
The demand
Efficacy
TABLE 1
Nematicides currently available on world markets
TABLE 2
Examples of recommended nematicidal dosages and treatments for some important crops1
Side-effects
Future developments
References

Content: Chemical treatment with fumigants or nematicides may be the only technique available, and from the plant quarantine standpoint it is important that their use is retained. The use of chemicals in protected cropping may still be preferable to other techniques such as steam treatment for economic and practical reasons. The use of soil-less growing media in some north European countries has resulted in a decreased demand for chemical treatments. In southern Europe, the Mediterranean region and North Africa, many horticultural and salad crops are grown in soil under polythene and soil treatment with methyl bromide, dazomet or non-fumigant nematicides is widely practised. The cost of such treatments may be as much as US$500 per hectare per year and can only be justified if the crops are of high market value. Efficacy
Fumigants. Several general purpose fumigants give excellent control of nematodes in soil. The efficacy is related to their high volatility at ambient temperatures. All fumigants have low molecular weights and occur as gases or liquids. As they volatilize, the gas diffuses through the spaces between soil particles;