Soil fumigants can be applied any time the soil
temperature is at least 55^oF at the 12-inch depth.
Generally, soil temperatures reach this point from mid-
April to mid-November in southern counties and from
mid-April to early November in northern counties. During
mid-summer, soil temperature may become too high for
successful treatment (90^oF). After making application,
cultivate soil shallowly and irrigatewith a half-inch of
water.

Row Treatment. Successful treatment depends to a large
extent on soil preparation and soil moisture. Soil should
be worked as thoroughly as possible, with subsoiling
considered highly desirable. All crop residues should be
decomposed since fumigants do not penetrate sufficiently
to provide satisfactory kill of nematodes within plant
tissues. Soil moisture should be equivalent to that desired
for seeding.
The best placement of soil fumigants is at least 15
inches deep with tractor-mounted subsoil chisel
equipment. Injection nozzles should be spaced between 9
to 12 inches, depending on the volatility of the fumigant
used, soil moisture, and soil temperature. In areas where
peach decline is not troublesome, treat an 8-foot band
corresponding to the row. In areas where peach decline is
troublesome, a 4- to 6-foot band is sufficient, since these
blocks will require postplant treatments.
Delay planting at least 2 weeks after treatment to
avoid plant injury. Since this delay may interfere with
spring planting, fall treatment is generally preferable.

Spot Treatment. Methyl bromide fumigation of replant
sites offers promise for nematode and disease control.
Several pieces of equipment are currently available for this
procedure. All include punching a small hole in the
ground where the tree is to be replanted. One pound of
MC-2 is released into the 18- to 20-inch-deep hole. The
hole is then sealed and left undisturbed for at least 8
weeks.
For best results, soil temperatures should be 55^oto
80^oF. Line up the replant site carefully since only an area
2 feet in diameter will be fumigated at the soil surface. At
lower depths, an area 4 feet in diameter will be fumigated.
The best procedure is to fumigate in the spring for fall
plantings and fumigate in the fall for spring plantings.

nematicides can be used legally on peaches and other tree
fruit. Consult the label and use only as directed.
Nonfumigant nematicides can be used successfully as
preplant treatments or as postplant treatments. Nemacur is
cleared for use on bearing trees.
Nonfumigant types of nematicides are formulated as
granular or sprayable materials. Granular formulations are
no longer legal for use. Sprayable soil-applied
nematicides can be applied with a properly calibrated
weed sprayer, and they have been successfully used in
combination with all of the herbicides commonly used on
tree fruit. To prevent injury to nontarget organisms, all of
the soil-applied nematicides should be incorporated
shallowly in the soil immediately after application.
Since these nematicides are not fumigants, they must
dissolve in the soil water and contact the nematode to
effect a control. As nonfumigants, soil temperature and
soil moisture are not so critical for satisfactory control.
Satisfactory control has been obtained with applications
any time between mid-March and late November when the
ground is not frozen.
The nonfumigant nematicides presently cleared for
use on tree fruit all possess some systemic activity.
Consequently, when they are applied to soils, the ground
should be weed-free for maximum control.
Those that are presently cleared for use include
Furadan 4F, Nemacur 3SC, and Vydate L. Furadan and
Nemacur are cleared for use as soil applications while
Vydate L is cleared for use in a series of foliar sprays. The
following rates have provided good control in this area.
Higher rates have sometimes resulted in phytotoxicity and
rates three times above these rates have resulted in tree
loss. Rates are expressed in amount per 43,560 square
feet, which is one broadcast acre. Banding of the
nematicides is highly desirable, so these rates are the
amount needed for several planted acres.
When preplant treatments are applied to the soil,
band widths should be 4- to 10-feet wide, depending on
whether the block is to receive postplant nematicide
treatments. Postplant treatments should be applied 1 foot
beyond the drip line to as close to the trunk as possible.

Table 11.3Nonfumigant Nematicide Rates*

Material

Ft

Rate/43,560 Sq.

[!]

Note: Granular formulations are no longer legal for
use.
Postharvest Fruit Treatment

FDA regulations specify any food crop to which a
nonexempt chemical is added after harvest must be so
labeled. The container that goes to the retailer must
contain words such as, "These peaches treated with (name
of chemical) to prevent rotting."
Postharvest fungicide treatment is important in

Nonfumigant Nematicides.

Several

nonfumigant

1998 New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide

111