Control measures against Radopholus similis
In Côte d'Ivoire, field studies have been carried out to assess the potential for using nematode-free micropropagated banana plants after the implementation of cultural (weed fallow and flooding) and chemical control methods against Radopholus similis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) and other nematodes pathogenic to banana (Helicotylenchus multicinctus and Hoplolaimus pararobustus). The results have shown that all nematode species declined but were not eliminated after a soil treatment with 1,3 dichloropropene, that R. similis did not persist after a weed fallow of two years (dominated by the weeds: Chromolaena odorata or Asystasia gangetica) or 10-week flooding. Other pathogenic nematodes (H. multicinctus and H. pararobustus which are able to parasitize the two weed species) were still present after these two cultural operations but in lower numbers. The authors concluded that fallowing and flooding (when possible) are two interesting control measures against nematodes in bananas.
Sources
Mateille, T.; Quénéhervé, P.; Hugon, R. (1994) The development of plant parasitic nematode infestations on micro-propagated banana plants following field control measures in Côte d'Ivoire.
Annals of Applied Biology, 125 (1), 147-159.