Root-knot nematode management for pepper and squash rotations using plasticulture systems with fumigants and non-fumigant nematicides

Multi-cropping of vegetables on the same plastic mulch builds up the population of root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.), which can severely reduce crop growth and yield. Vegetable growers in the southeastern US usually fumigate soil while laying the plastic mulch in the spring. They then apply non-fumigant nematicides via drip irrigation systems for subsequent crops grown on the mulch. With the advent of new and emerging nematicides, this research was aimed to investigate the best chemical control practice for M. incognita in a pepper and squash plasticulture system. Field trials were conducted in the spring (pepper) and summer (squash) of 2019 and 2020. The spring treatments were soil fumigants of 1,3-dichloropropene, allyl isothiocyanate, and 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin (Pic60), a RKN-resistant cultivar (Carolina Wonder), and an untreated check. Summer treatments were the non-fumigant nematicides fluopyram, fluensulfone, fluazaindolizine, oxamyl, and Burkholderia spp. strain A396. All spring treatments, except allyl isothiocyanate, reduced (P