Soil fumigation for control ofSolanum nigrumL. in direct-seeded processing tomatoes

Effect of Soil Fumigation on Volunteer Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Tuber Viability1

“…In general, tuber mortality was affected by fumigant dose, temperature, time of exposure, and interactions among these factors (Table 1; Figure 1). These findings are in agreement with studies on tomato, pigweed (Pieczarka and Warren 1960), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) (Morgan et al 1987), and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] (Teasdale and Taylorson 1986).…”

“…Metham sodium is primarily applied through sprinkler irrigation systems in the Pacific Northwest but also can be applied to the soil by subsurface injection. Metham sodium degrades to methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) within hours after application to soil, a compound toxic to many weed seeds and seedlings (Gerstl et al 1977;Morgan et al 1987;Smelt and Leistra 1974;Teasdale and Taylorson 1986). The half-life of MITC in soil is short, ranging from several hours to 7 d (Gerstl et al 1977;Smelt and Leistra 1974;WSSA 1994).…”