Blog Post
In California, nematodes can significantly impact crop production. They cause considerable damage to plant roots, disrupting the uptake of water and nutrients, resulting in reduced crop yield. For pre-treatment control, especially with regards to almond replants, soil fumigation is a vital management tool for growers. The objective is to reduce nematode populations below a threshold to avoid serious crop damage. Mitigating the damage caused by these pests ensures a strong start to the seedlings or dormant propagative material. Pre-treatment fumigation with TriClor and/or Telone offers crop protection, rapid seedling establishment, earlier and larger yields, promotes soil health, and most importantly increases orchard longevity. Fumigation promotes healthy soil for the grower’s long-term investment.
- Prunus Replant Disorder (PRD) affects roughly 60% of prunus-to-prunus plantings.
- PRD occurs from planting perennial crops into soils where a complex of nematodes and soil-borne diseases are present.
- Orchards suffering from PRD show poor, non-uniform growth and low vigor, often for the entire life of the crop. As root and vegetative growth suffers, so do yields.
- Soil fumigation promotes healthy soil and leads to a flourishing root system which enhances trunk, shoot, and canopy growth.
- Studies repeatedly show that fumigated soils produce healthier roots that allow trees to establish themselves faster and more uniformly.
— Tree Growth Through The Seasons
TriCal and TriCal Diagnostics help growers with integrated pest management decisions by helping to diagnose and manage plant/nematode issues. The TriCal Research & Development team conducts critical multi-year field trial research to investigate nematicidal efficacy of the fumigants TriClor and Telone II. We are also evaluating integrated nematode management programs for growers that could include fumigation + post treatment nematicides. Longer-term nematode suppression is the ultimate goal.
If you require any further information or have questions about our services, please feel free to send me an email at ksanchez@trical.com.
