CONTROL OF PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODES WITH FURFURAL - A NATURALLY-OCCURRING FUMIGANT

The efficacy of furfural (2-furfuraldehyde) as a nematicide was studie d in greenhouse and microplot experiments. Mixing furfural with soil a t rates of 0.1-1.0 ml/kg prior to transferring soil to greenhouse pots suppressed initial populations of Meloidogyne arenaria and Pratylench us brachyurus. The number of root galls induced by Meloidogyne arenari a in 'Summer Crookneck' squash (Cucurbita pepo) after 8 weeks was redu ced proportionately to the rate of furfural applied to the soil before planting. Similar results were obtained for M. incognita, Heterodera glycines, and other species when soybean (Glycine max) was used as a h ost. Furfural also was effective as a nematicide when its vapor was al lowed to diffuse through a soil column. In microplots, preplant inject ion of furfural was simulated by pouring it into a 25-cm-deep trench t hat was immediately covered with soil. When furfural was applied to mi croplots at rates of 53-159 ml/m2 soil, initial populations of M. aren aria and P. minor were reduced and yields of 'Clemson Spineless' okra (Hibiscus esculentum) were increased. No further yield increases were obtained at higher rates. Results indicate that furfural could have pr actical applications in the control of phytoparasitic nematodes.