Control of root-knot nematodes in Sri Lanka

Soil applications of granular nematicides, carbofuran, fenamiphos and oxamyl, or fumigant nematicides, 1,3 dichloropropene 1,2 dichloropropane, controlled Meloidogyne javanica on tomato, beans and soybeans and M. arenaria on tobacco and increased yiels. Incorporation of coconut oil cakes into the soil also produced positive effects on control of M. javanica on tomato. Imported cultivar of tomato resistant to root-knot nematodes were only partuially resistant to M. javanica. U.F.V1 was the only one of five soybean cvs, which showed some resistance or tolerance to M. javanica. Diflubenzuron applied as a soil drench completely suppressed Attacks of root-knot nematodes but was highly phytotoxic to soybeans. However, incorporation of the chemical into the soil just before sowing , or soaking seeds with a solution of the chemical in methyl sulphoxide gave excellent control of the nematode without suppressing plant growth.