Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Soil Infested by the Fungus Causing Brown Root Rot Complex of Tomatoes and by the Potato Cyst Nematode

Abstract

SUMMARY In glasshouse soils infested with grey sterile fungus, the cause of brown root rot of tomato, and the potato cyst nematode, methyl bromide fumigation increased yield, and controlled the nematode at all except the lowest treatment applied. In the experiments described here methyl bromide did not affect the development of brown root rot.

The interrelationships of the causal fungus of brown root rot of tomatoes and potato root eelworm, Heterodera rostochiensis Woll.

“…These experiments have shown that the invasion of the tomato roots by potato root eelworm did not predispose the host plant to attack by the causal fungus of brown root rot. Graham (1966) has suggested that, in commercial glasshouse soils used continuously for the production of tomatoes, where both GSF and Heterodera rostochiensis are present, the nematode population does not build up as expected; a fact confirmed by James & Hague (1967) when methyl bromide was used to fumigate infested soil. Where root rots are not of importance to tomato growers, for instance in the southwest of England, then potato root eelworm populations build up in the soil and have a detrimental effect on tomato yield.…”

Perspectives in Applied Nematology

“…Methyl bromide was commercially applied at 1 lb per 100 ft 2 (454 g per 30.3 m 2 ) in cans under polyethylene sheets to control nematodes and weeds in nursery beds, particularly tobacco (Daulton, 1956). Better distribution of methyl bromide can be obtained through perforated pipes along the length of the polyethylene sheet (Hague et al, 1964) and this technique was used to control potato cyst nematode and the grey sterile fungus (brown root rot) of tomatoes (James & Hague, 1967).…”