Research Papers: Sweet Potato Seed-Root Treatment with the Systemic Nematicide Oxamyl for Control of Phytoparasitic Nematodes

Abstract

Roots (40-60 g) of MD-304 sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) were immersed for 5 min in solutions of the systemic nematicide oxamyl containing 0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 18.0, and 24.0 g a.i./l. The treated roots were shaken and planted one per pot containing 1 kg of a sandy loam from a soybean field naturally infested with phytoparasitic nematodes. Each treatment was represented by 8 pots arranged in a completely randomized design in the greenhouse. After 6 weeks soil samples were collected, and adventitious roots examined for galls and damage caused by Meloidogyne incognita. Roots were then incubated for 72 hrs in water to determine the number of endoparasitic nematodes; after which time the eggs of M. incognita were extracted. The number of galls and eggs per gram of root and galling index declined with oxamyl concentrations between 0 and 12 g/l with little additional decline at higher concentrations; the 12 g/l solution resulted in a 95% reduction in number of eggs and galls per g of fre