EFFECTS OF FURFURAL ON NEMATODE POPULATIONS AND GALLING ON TOMATO AND PEPPER

Resumo

Kokalis-Burelle, N. 2007. Effects of furfural on nematode populations and galling on tomato and pepper. Nematropica 37:307-316. A commercial formulation of furfural (Multiguardr Protect) was evaluated in greenhouse trials over three seasons for effects on parasitic and beneficial nematode populations in roots and soil, plant growth, and galling on tomato and bell pepper caused by Meloidogyne incognita. 'Tiny Tim' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum = Lycopersicon esculentum) and 'Capistrano' bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) were transplanted into pots containing treated and untreated field soil which was naturally infested with M. incognita, microbivorous nematodes, and soil microorganisms. In several tests, furfural increased M. incognita J2 populations in tomato and pepper roots but reduced galling. High rates of furfural provided effective management of galling on tomato. On pepper, populations of M. incognita were lower than on tomato, and no reduction in galling occurred. No furfural treatments exhibited consistent levels of phytotoxicity to either tomato or pepper. Effects of furfural on beneficial microbivorous nematodes were mild, with substantial populations surviving in soil and roots treated with both post-plant, and high preplant rates of furfural.