C. Karavina, R. Mandumbu
2012
Citations
2
Influential Citations
13
Citations
Journal
International Journal of Agricultural Technology
Abstract
Bindura University of Science Education, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Department of Crop Science, Private Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe Charles Karavina and Ronald Mandumbu (2012) Phytoparasitic nematode management post-methyl bromide: Where to for Zimbabwe? Journal of Agricultural Technology 8(4): 1141-1160. Methyl bromide, a broad spectrum fumigant that has been in use for over 70 years, would be phased out even in developing countries in 2015. The chemical is mainly used as a pre-plant soil sterilant and disinfectant in warehouses, ships and aeroplanes. Methyl bromide is being phased out because it is an ozone depletor. This calls for alternative chemicals and non-chemical methods to be developed to replace methyl bromide. A number of alternative chemicals, including chloropicrin, 1,3-dichloropropene, methyl isothiocynate, methyl iodide and sodium azide have been tried in the developed world as replacements. Of these, methyl iodide is the most promising because it has the same efficacy as methyl bromide, and is not ozone-depleting. The other alternatives like 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin have limited pest spectrum of activity and have to be applied in combination with each other or with herbicides. Non-chemical methods like crop rotation, resistant cultivar use, organic matter addition and solarization have been accepted by farmers. Biofumigation is a relatively new technique in Zimbabwe and is under experimental evaluation. Biotechnology has been adopted for use in pest management in Zimbabwe where the Tobacco Research Board spearheads the national tobacco programme of producing varities resistant to root knot nematodes. The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre is mandated with producing both food and cash crops that are resistant to pests. Whereas tobacco seedling production was heavily reliant on methyl bromide, the Tocacco Research Board has introduced the float tray system whose adoption by small-scale farmers is at between 30 and 40%. Fambidzanayi Permaculture Centre is also encouraging farmers to organically produce both horticultural and nonhorticultural crops. The management of nematodes and other pests post methyl bromide will rely on integrating the different methods i.e. both chemical and non-chemical methods. Key Words: nematodes, methyl bromide, nematode management, phase-out.