Techniques for distributing non-fumigant nematicides in soil to control potato cyst-nematodes, Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida

Potato cyst-nematodes can be controlled and potato yields increased by applying aldicarb or oxamyl in vertical bands 12.5 or 25 cm apart in the top 15 cm of infested soil and incorporating it by rotary harrowing. This new ‘Vertical Band-Roterra’ technique spreads the nematicides almost as uniformly in the soil as does spreading them on the soil surface and incorporating them by rotary cultivation, and gives equally effective nematode control. It is also faster, does not mix weathered with unweathered soil and does not smear the soil. The nematicide, or any other substance requiring incorporation in the top 15 cm of the soil, can be applied in either granule or liquid form by the new technique. Merely spreading the nematicide on the soil surface and incorporating it by rotary harrowing leaves most of the substance in the top 5 cm of the soil, lessening nematode control. Spreading the nematicide on the soil surface and in horizontal layers 5 and 10 cm deep, followed by rotary harrowing, controls the nematodes as well as does the rotary cultivation method, but is inconvenient.