title: Evaluation of sulfuryl fluoride as a soil fumigant in China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Root-knot nematodes and soil-borne diseases constrain the rapid development of protected agriculture in China, especially while phasing out methyl bromide (MB). The fumigant sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is currently used as an alternative to MB for the disinfestation of buildings and post-harvest commodities. Our experiments aimed to evaluate a novel application of SF as a soil fumigant in greenhouses in China.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dose-response experiments indicated that SF has good efficacy on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and moderate activity against Fusarium spp. and weeds (Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. and Abutilon theophrasti Medicus). The field trials indicates that SF has good efficacy, between 80 and 94%, on Meloidogyne spp., and Fusarium spp. at the rates of 25-50 g m(-2) in tomato and cucumber in Beijing and Shandong Province. Marketable yield and plant vigour was not significantly different in SF and MB treatments. SF has lower emissions than MB during the fumigation operation. It is simple to apply, can be used at low temperature, and has a short plant-back time. SF was found to be an economically feasible alternative to MB for nematode control in China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SF can be used as a soil fumigant to control root-knot nematodes and to reduce the levels of key soil pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China; State key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pest, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors.forename: Aocheng
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Meixia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Dongdong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Liangang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Qiuxia
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiayu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Peisheng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D002681:China; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005651:Fumigation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000187:drug effects; D012987:Soil; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D058728:Weed Control
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D010575:Pesticides; D012987:Soil; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; C048899:sulfuryl fluoride
keywords: Fusarium; Meloidogyne; alternatives; methyl bromide; soil disinfestation; sulfuryl fluoride