Distribution and control of root-knot and root lesion nematodes on peanuts in north Queensland

Abstract

In a survey of peanut plantings in north Queensland, the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood was found to be confined to red basaltic soils with a long cropping history around Tolga and Atherton. The root lesion nematode Pratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey) was widespread throughout the Atherton Tablelands and was absent only in soils that had recently been brought into cultivation. Infestations of both species were heavier where peanuts had been grown on the same land for two or more successive seasons. Applications at planting of fenamiphos, ethoprophos or aldicarb at 5 kg active ingredient ha-1 in a 15 cm band, or ethylene dibromide row treatment at 30 kg ha-1 increased yield by up to 40% in Virginia Bunch peanuts. Yield responses were only obtained in trials where infestations of M. hapla were severe, and there was none where P. brachyurus occurred by itself. Treatments with dibromochloropropane, oxamyl and terbufos were ineffective.