424

N. G. M. HAGTJE

An estimate of the eggs or larvae/g of soil. The Agricultural Development and

Advisory Service in Britain have given a figure of 20-40 eggs/g as being dangerous
depending on soil type. M. incgnita populations are more difficult to estmate
particularly for pre-planting purposes because the eggs are laid in an egg sac which
becomes free in the soil, and the ppulation can only be sampled when the larvae have
hatched. Indica! or plants can be used to estmate the ppulation but it is a lengthy
and time consuming process. The galling ndex on roots after harvesting the previous
crop is the best guide but usually the ppulation will have reached severely damaging
levis before the grower becomes aware of the problem: this happens because cluring
the build-up period of an infestation, external symptorns such as wilting are not
evident in crops wbere aclequate water is continuously applied.
Cucumbers are attacked also by M. incgnita, on which crop it produces very largo
root galls, but root-knot nematodes are relatively minor pests compared with red
spider, and fungal diseases, e.g. black root (Phomopsis) and mildew.
B. Control of Nematodes in Soil
Hussey et al. (1969) gave a detailed account of the methods used for controlling
cyst and root-knot nematodes in glasshouses. In the soil environment fungi are more
difficult to control than nematodes and it is common practice to apply sterilization
techniques which control the fungi and the nematodes at the same time.
Steam sterilization is still rgarded as one of the best methods of controlling both
fungi ancl nematodes but it is becoming increasingly expensive because of the labour
cost of moving pipes ancl sheets in the glasshouse, but in contrast with most chemical
treatments it lea.ves no phytotoxic residuos. Annual steaming cloes enable the growth
of economa crops but the cost per hectare of oontract steaming in Britain (2000) is
becoming prohibitive. Steam -air treatments may prove to be superior to the more
conventional steaming techniques.
Liquid
halogenated
hydrocarbon
fumigants
such
as
DD
(dichloro-propane-clichloropropene) at 450 kg/ha and EDB (ethyne dibromide) at
225 kg/ha effectively control both root-knot and cyst eelworms, but only in the
absence of root rotting fungi. Methyl isothiocyanate (Trapex) is a
fungicide/nematicide and is preferable if both types of pathogen are present. These
three chemicals are injected into soil which should be well cultivated before injection
and thenproperly sealed after treatment, Under glasshouse conclitions treatment
may be clone by hancl-injeetor because pipes and purloins interfere with the used of
motorized injectors. However, in modern glasshouses mechanical injection is the
rule.

17. FLOWER BULBS, GLASSHOUSE CROPS AND OKNAMKNT.fi,

Two other chemicals used for treatment of glasshouse soiis libera methyl
isothiocyanate after hydrolysis in soil. Vapam (metham-sodium suppied as 32-35%
solution is best applied as a soil clrench at 120 ml/m2 by diluting the concntrate to
about 1 in 100 or 200. Dazomet (or mylone) is a powder formulation usually applied
at 450 kg/ha and rotovated into the soil. Recently a dust-free formulation (prill) has
been. put on the market. Dazomet will only clecompose to methyl isothiocyanate in
the presence of moisture, and dry soils must therefore be waterecl after application.
All these chemicals must be applied several weeks before planting and the
timing.depends on factors such as tem-perature, moisture content of soil, soil
porosity, etc. There have been several instances of phytotoxicity with vapam applied
at low tempera-tures, and tomatoes are sometimos tainted in DD treated soil.
In recent years in western Europe methyl bromide has been replacing other
methods of sterilization, mainly because planting can foliow very soon after
treatment, The nematicidal properties of methyl bromide were mvestigated by
Newhall (1947) and the chemical has been exten-sively used in the U.S.A. to control
root-knot eelworm on tomatoes grown outdoors. Its fungicidal properties were
thought to be poor but recent experiments (Galley and Hage. 1967) have shown that
exposures of soil for 4 days or longer will give good control of the brown root rot ancl of
H . rostochiensis on tomatoes. At normal temperaturas methyl bromide (BP 4C) is a
volatile gas which is applied under eievated plstic sheets, the edges of which are
buried in soil.. It penetrates the soil by clownward diffusion.
Methyl bromide is applied in three ways:
1. Using 1 Ib canlsters which are pierced under the sheet after being placed at the
necessary intervals to give the required dose.
2. By vaporization from a cylinder using a dosimeter (Hague et a l , 1964), the gas
being discharged through a "T" piece for distribution over the treated rea.
3. By mechanical injection, the polythene sheet being laid down by the machine
immediately after treatment. Although a satisfactory and efficient method for use,
outdoors in the U.S.A., this method has been found dangerous in glasshouses in
western Europe ancl has not obtained official approval.
The second" method is the safest.as the application can be, done from outside the
glasshouse and distribution is much quicker ancl more efficient than by the omster
method. The general ly accepted dosago is 50-100 g/m2 of methyl bromide. Although
24-48 h exposure is sufficent to kill tie nematodes, at least 4'days is preferred in
order to rid the soil of both fungal and nematocle problems. In glasshouses the
operatng