CONTROL OF THE CITRUS NEMATODE TYLENCHULUS SEMIPENETRANS IN ESTABLISHED GRAPEFRUIT ORCHARDS OF CYPRUS

Abstract

Trials in Cyprus for controlling the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb, in established grapefruit orchards resulted in effective nematode control and increase of yields. In the case of early harvest, the nematicides fenamiphos and aldicarb increased yields significantly, as a mean of five years, by 74.2% and up to 53.2%, respectively, while when the crop was harvested only once, in winter, prophos increased yields significantly over the entire experimental season by 20.5%, compared to the untreated. The use of liquid nematicides through irrigation for controlling the nematode proved very effective while it was evident that yield losses were more pronounced in sandy than in clayey soils.