Evaluation of fluopyram for management of Meloidogyne ethiopica and migratory nematodes in commercial tomato greenhouses in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.

Background: The nematicidal effects of fluopyram were evaluated for the suppression of Meloidogyne ethiopica and migratory nematodes, Xiphinema americanum s. l., Hemicycliophora spp. and Pratylenchus spp., in two commercial tomato greenhouses in Chile. The effects of fluopyram on plant-parasitic nematodes, plant vigor and fruit yield were determined.

Results: Fluopyram demonstrated good potential for the management of M. ethiopica and migratory nematodes, especially during the early stages of evaluation (30-60 days after planting). There were also improvements in vigor of treated plants. A general trend in improved fruit quality was also observed, however, no significant differences in total yield were found between treatments.

Conclusions: Our study is one of the first evaluations of fluopyram under field conditions against M. ethiopica. The findings suggest that this new nematicide has good potential for the management of M. ethiopica and some migratory nematodes in tomatoes cropped in greenhouses in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.