On-farm measurements of nitrogen fixation by winter and summer legumes in the Hill and Terai regions of Nepal

Results are reported from on-farm surveys of N₂ fixation in Nepal, conducted between 1994 and 1999, involving the summer legumes soybean, mashbean and groundnut, and the winter legumes lentil and chickpea, at various locations in the Hill and Terai regions of Nepal. Additional less-detailed data were also collected for pigeonpea, grasspea and fababean. There were a total of 107 crops in the major and minor surveys. Estimates of the proportion of legume nitrogen (N) derived from N₂ fixation (Pfix) were determined using the natural ¹⁵N abundance method. Mean estimates of Pfix for the various species were 62% (soybean), 47% (mashbean), 57% (groundnut), 78% (lentil), 79% (chickpea), 75% (pigeonpea), 87% (grasspea) and 85% (fababean). Estimates of total N fixed (including roots) were 59 kg N ha⁻¹ (soybean), 28 kg N ha⁻¹ (mashbean), 153 kg N ha⁻¹ (groundnut), 72 kg N ha⁻¹ (lentil), 84 kg N ha⁻¹ (chickpea), 412 N ha⁻¹ (pigeonpea) and 80 N ha⁻¹ (grasspea and fababean). The on-farm measurements of N₂ fixation were generally similar to those of experimental crops in the same areas of the country. Correlation matrices of soil fertility parameters, shoot dry matter and N, and N₂ fixation revealed that the total amounts of N fixed were influenced primarily by crop growth. Based on the above figures, it was estimated that approximately 30,000 t N were fixed annually in Nepal by legumes, valued at US$ 15 million.     

Effects of fungicides on eyespot, caused predominantly by Oculimacula acuformis, and yield of early-drilled winter wheat

The effectiveness against eyespot of nine fungicide treatments, applied at GS 31, was evaluated in early-drilled winter wheat crops. Visual assessments of stem-base diseases were made before fungicide application and at GS 39/55 and 69/70 of cultivars Consort, Savannah and Claire. Competitive PCR was used to quantify Oculimacula acuformis, O. yallundae, Microdochium nivale, Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia cerealis. PCR results indicated that O. acuformis was the predominant pathogen causing eyespot in all three crops. Treatments containing cyprodinil were most successful in reducing disease index and DNA of O. acuformis across cultivars. Treatments containing prochloraz were less consistent in eyespot control, significantly reducing the DNA of O. acuformis only in one instance at GS 70 of cultivar Claire. None of the fungicide treatments had any significant effect on brown foot rot or sharp eyespot, or DNA of M. nivale or R. cerealis. The potential for O. acuformis to cause yield loss was indicated by significant negative relationships between yield and eyespot incidence or DNA of O. acuformis at GS 69/70 for each wheat crop. Relationships between DNA of O. acuformis and eyespot incidence or severity at each growth stage were weak but generally improved at the later growth stages of the crops when disease symptoms were easily distinguished. Both molecular methods and visual assessment failed to predict eyespot incidence or pathogen DNA late in season using incidence or DNA of O. acuformis at GS 31. PCR assays, however, accurately identified the stem base pathogens at early growth stages of the crops when the symptoms of their respective diseases were not readily diagnosed.     

Detection of genetic variation among Indian wheat head scab pathogens (Fusarium spp./isolates) with microsatellite markers

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is responsible for extensive damage of wheat in humid and semi-humid regions of the world. Presently, FHB of wheat is a minor disease in India but due to global climate change, there is a chance that moist conditions and high humidity resulting from more rainfall during mid-anthesis could increase the susceptibility of wheat to Fusarium infection. For the present study, 27 isolates of three Fusarium spp. viz., Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum were isolated from naturally infected wheat sampled from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Wellington (Tamil Nadu) during 2000–2003. Genomic DNA was isolated from fresh mycelia using the CTAB method. Fusarium spp./isolates were analyzed with four newly developed microsatellite markers (MS-Fg1353, MS-Fg6808, MS-Fg307 and MS-Fg3654) and six previously published microsatellite markers (MS-Fg97, MS-Fc1, MS-Fg103, MS-Fg30, MS-Fg75 and MS-Fg90). All markers amplified a DNA fragment of variable length for different Fusarium spp./isolates. Microsatellite markers, MS-Fg103, MS-Fg103 did not amplify F. oxysporum and F. verticillioides isolates, respectively. MS-Fg307 amplified a fragment of 200 bp with F. graminearum isolates of Wellington. This study has shown that there is considerable genotypic variability among Fusarium spp./isolates causing FHB of wheat in India.     

Distribution of seed protein fractions and amino acids in different anatomical parts of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Studies on protein fractionation in seed coat, embryo, cotyledons and whole seed were made to observe the differences, if any, between chickpea and pigeonpea. Results indicated that globulin was the major fraction of embryo and cotyledons of these legumes. Seed-coat nitrogen was observed to be mostly comprised of nonprotein nitrogen and glutelin fractions and thus differed from other components in both chickpea and pigeonpea. The albumin fraction of cotyledons of both crops had the highest concentration of sulphur amino acids, methionine and cystine. Glutelin contained a considerably higher concentration of methionine and cystine than did globulin in chickpea and pigeonpea. This suggests that lines with higher glutelin should be identified to improve their protein quality. The amino acid compositions of different seed components did not show large differences between these two pulse crops.Submitted as JA no. 180 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

Efficacy of 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin application methods in combination with pebulate and napropamide in tomato

Small-plot research and large-field validations were conducted to determine the effect of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D)+chloropicrin (Pic) application methods in combination with the herbicides pebulate and napropamide on pest control in fresh market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). In both the small-plot trials and the large-validation fields, various treatments compared the efficacy of soil fumigants and herbicides based on methyl bromide, in-bed and broadcast applications of 1,3-D+Pic, pebulate, and napropamide. The results consistently indicated that either in-bed or broadcast applications of 1,3-D+Pic in combination with pebulate and napropamide are equally effective against the weed Cyperus spp., the nematodes Tylenchorhynchus spp., Belonolaimus longicaudatus, and Meloidogyne spp., and the soilborne disease Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in fresh market tomato. Therefore, broadcast 1,3-D+Pic application can reduce personnel exposure and poisoning risks, without losing pest control efficacy.     

Modelling nematode population growth and damage

Recent results on the population dynamics and damage relationships of root-knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) and of potato cyst nematode (PCN, Globodera pallida) are modelled, and a computer-based programme is used to explore different strategies for PCN control. Damage by RKN was shown to be density dependent, to increase with increasing duration of plant growth, and to be much greater for good than poor hosts. PCN populations both increase and decline more slowly than those of RKN, and modelling suggested that, when non-hosts are grown, differences in decline rates will have an accumulative effect on the effectiveness of rotation. Similarly, differences in nematicide effectiveness will have a major effect on post-harvest PCN populations, and nematicides were shown to be most effective when PCN populations are small. Host resistance is a key component of integrated management of nematodes and, because gene flow in soil is limited, it can be durable.     

Antinutritional factors of chickpea and pigeonpea and their removal by processing

Protease inhibitors, amylase inhibitors, phytolectins, polyphenols, and oligosaccarides are important antinutritional factors of chickpea and pigeonpea. Research on these factors is reviewed and compared to those in other grain legumes. Both chickpea and pigeonpea are consumed in various forms as processed food. The effects of such processing practices as cooking, germination, and fermentation to reduce the levels of these antinutritional factors are also discussed.     

栀子根结线虫病的病原鉴定

为明确广西贺州市栀子根结线虫病病原种类,采集根部有明显根结的栀子根系进行根结线虫分离鉴定,通过观察根结线虫2龄幼虫、雌成虫、会阴花纹特征对其进行形态学鉴定,并利用核糖体ITS区和28S rDNA D2D3区序列比对和系统发育树分析方法对其进行分子生物学鉴定。结果表明,该病原线虫2龄幼虫和雌成虫形态特征及形态测量值与象耳豆根结线虫（Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang & Eisenback, 1983）相似;该病原线虫核糖体ITS区与NCBI数据库中象耳豆根结线虫相应序列的相似度为100%,28S rDNA D2D3区与NCBI数据库中象耳豆根结线虫相应序列的相似度为99%以上;该病原线虫核糖体ITS序列以99%的支持率与象耳豆根结线虫聚为同一分支。综合形态学和分子生物学鉴定结果将广西贺州市栀子根结线虫病病原种类鉴定为象耳豆根结线虫,栀子（Gardenia jasminoides Eills）是该线虫的新寄主纪录。     

Long-term dry preservation of viable mycelia of two mycoherbicidal organisms

The production of large amounts of fungal spores for preservation and formulation are considered constraints to effective use of fungal biocontrol agents. Few successful attempts have been made to store fungal mycelia alone. Late log-phase liquid fermenter cultured isolated mycelia of two Fusarium spp. specific to the parasitic broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) from fermenters were formulated in alginate beads or in ‘Stabileze’ (starch, sucrose, corn oil, and silica) and air-dried. ‘Stabileze’ formulations exhibited <30% loss of mycelial viability for >9 months and retained pathogenicity to the weed for over a year, while mycelia harvested earlier, and conidia from liquid culture exhibited >40% loss of viability. Mycelia from liquid culture yielded >20 times more colony forming units (cfu) of F. arthrosporioides and >2 times more cfu of F. oxysporum than spores at late log phase. Efficient formulation of mycelia should significantly change the economics of biocontrol.     

木豆遗传多样性及抗逆机制研究进展

木豆是世界第六大食用豆类,用途非常广泛。木豆遗传多样性非常丰富,植物种质资源特性与其抗逆性密切相关。本综述重点介绍国内外木豆种质资源遗传多样性、抗逆生理生化指标及机制研究进展,同时对木豆产业化研究提出展望,为后期开展木豆抗逆研究及抗逆育种提供参考依据。     

中国辣椒（Capsicum chinense）对象耳豆根结线虫的抗性鉴定及机理研究

根结线虫（Meloidogyne spp.）是一类高度专化性的杂食性植物病原线虫。目前,世界上已报道的根结线虫种类有98种,我国危害农作物最为严重的根结线虫有6种,包括南方根结线虫（M. incognita）、北方根结线虫（M. hapla）、爪哇根结线虫（M. javanica）、花生根结线虫（M. arenaria）、拟禾谷根结线虫（M. graminicola）和象耳豆根结线虫（M. enteroloblii）。象耳豆根结线虫寄主范围广、致病力强,选育抗病品种是防治该线虫最为经济有效的手段。由于象耳豆根结线虫在辣椒生产中造成的危害越来越大,急需筛选高抗象耳豆根结线虫的辣椒种质,为抗病育种工作提供物质前提。本研究采用苗期接种鉴定法,对27份中国辣椒（Capsicum chinense）接种象耳豆根结线虫,60 d后开展抗病性鉴定工作。从根结指数和卵粒指数可以看出,不同种质材料在抗病性上存在显著差异。L529-10-1-2-1的根结指数和卵粒指数均最大,L550-1-3的根结指数最小,L518×L535的卵粒指数最小,可推测L529-10-1-2-1对象耳豆根结线虫的抗病性最弱,L550-1-3和L518×L535抗病性最强。结合隶属函数值和聚类分析,将27份供试辣椒种质分为抗病、低抗、感病和高感4类。其中抗病种质16份,隶属函数值在1.60以上;低抗种质4份,隶属函数值在1.26~1.51之间;感病种质5份,隶属函数值在0.64~0.93之间;高感种质2份,隶属函数值在0.42以下。选取高抗的L501M-1M和高感的L529-10-1-2-1接种象耳豆根结线虫,并在接种后0、3、6、9、12、15、20、25、30 d观察线虫侵染量和根系木质素含量。发现L501M-1M根系中的根结线虫数量远远少于L529-10-1-2-1,且L501M-1M中根结线虫的发育受到了阻滞。L501M-1M和L529-10-1-2-1在接种前木质素含量均较低,而接种后抗感种质木质素含量均有所上升,且L501M-1M的木质素含量明显高于L529-10-1-2-1,从而推测木质素与中国辣椒的象耳豆根结线虫抗性存在一定关联。该结果将为深入开展辣椒的根结线虫抗性机理研究奠定基础。     

彩色马蹄莲品种对果胶软腐杆菌Pcc抗性的评价方法及鉴定

为探索彩色马蹄莲（Zantedeschia spp.）接种胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌（Pectobacterium carotovora subsp. Carotovora, Pcc）的适宜方法,鉴定彩色马蹄莲组内品种对软腐病菌Pcc的抗性情况,本研究先以10个彩色马蹄莲品种为试验材料,进行以完整叶片、叶片圆片（叶盘）为接种材料的室内离体接种,以及以主脉、侧脉为接种部位的温室活体植株接种,接种后分别于12、24、36 h 3个时间点,以发病率、病情指数为指标,统计马蹄莲软腐病发病情况;在明确适宜的接种方法和发病时间后,选取包括第1步试验品种在内的34个彩色马蹄莲品种进行Pcc抗性鉴定。结果表明：离体接种的最佳材料为完整叶片,最佳发病观察时间是24 h;活体接种的最佳接种部位为叶片主脉,最佳发病观察时间是36 h;离体鉴定的中抗品种为5个,感病品种为11个,高感品种为18个;而活体鉴定的中抗、感病和高感品种分别为2、17、15个。离体方法鉴定的中抗品种多于活体鉴定,离体方法鉴定的抗性情况更接近田间大规模生产,其原因可能是离体方法鉴定时接种材料的均一性、环境条件的一致性好,更能反应品种本身的抗性情况。     

Crop hosts and genotypic resistance influence the biological activity of Bacillus thuringiensis towards Helicoverpa armigera

Studies on the influence of genotypic resistance on biological activity of a commercial formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and pure Bt toxin Cry1Ac were carried out to develop appropriate strategies for pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera management in chickpea, sorghum, pigeonpea and cotton. The interaction effects of host plant resistance and biological activity of commercial Bt/Cry1Ac were studied by incorporating the lyophilized tissues of chickpea leaves, milk stage sorghum grain, pigeonpea pods and cotton squares into the artificial diet with and without Bt formulation or Cry1Ac. The H. armigera larval weights were significantly lower in insects reared on diets with square powder of the insect - resistant Bt-cotton RCH 2 + Bt/Cry1Ac and pod powder of insect - resistant pigeonpea genotype, ICPL 332WR + Bt/Cry1Ac as compared to the larvae reared on diets with leaf powder of H. armigera susceptible chickpea genotype, ICCC 37 and the standard artificial diet. Pupation and adult emergence were significantly lower in insects reared on diets with tissues of pod borer-resistant genotypes + Bt/Cry1Ac as compared to insects reared on diets with tissues of the insect susceptible genotypes + Bt/Cry1Ac. Insects reared on diets containing insect-resistant and -susceptible genotypes of sorghum, pigeonpea and cotton and pod borer-resistant genotype of chickpea (ICC 506EB) + Bt/Cry1Ac did not lay any eggs. However, eggs were laid by the insects reared on diets containing pod borer-susceptible genotype of chickpea, ICCC 37 and on the standard artificial diet + Bt/Cry1Ac. The insects reared on diets with sorghum genotype, ICSV 745, and Bt-cotton, RCH 2 without Bt/Cry1Ac also did not lay eggs. The results suggested that Bt/Cry1Ac is more effective for management of H. armigera when deployed in combination with insect-resistant genotypes of cotton, chickpea, pigeonpea and sorghum.     

High economic returns from companion and relay cropping of bread wheat and menthol mint in the winter–summer season in north Indian plains

A total of 17 cropping schedules for the winter (rabi)–summer (zaid) season of north Indian plains were compared for the yield and economics of produce per hectare of land. In comparison to wheat, the sucker-planted mint crop was estimated to bring in a 32% higher income. The co-cultivation of wheat with sucker-planted mint gave 15% more productivity over wheat alone and 70% over mint alone. The relay cropping of wheat followed by transplanted mint had the highest productivity, 45% higher than that of co-cultivated wheat and mint. The cultivar HD 2285 of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Himalaya/Kosi cultivars of mint (Mentha arvensis L.) were found to fit well in the co-cultivation and relay cropping schedules using wheat and mint crops. The results allowed recommendation of the following rotations for high yield together with resource conservation, permitting intensive agriculture by farmers with small holdings in Indo-Gangetic plains: (1) rice/greengram/blackgram, transplanted basil, wheat+mint, pigeonpea, chickpea, transplanted mint; and (2) pigeonpea, wheat, transplanted mint, rice, transplanted basil, wheat+mint.     

A participatory farming system approach for sustainable broomrape (Orobanche spp.) management in the Near East and North Africa

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are aggressive and damaging parasitic weeds which have a tremendous impact on agriculture in East Africa, the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Despite the availability of technologies to control broomrapes in economically important crops, Orobanche infestation continues to increase, threatening the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Many of the technologies developed have not been effectively disseminated and there has been little or zero adoption by farmers—who continue to use ineffective management practices that exacerbate the problem. The adaptation and dissemination of appropriate management practices are major priorities in broomrape control. However, such work must take into consideration the specific socio-economic characteristics of individual farming systems. Orobanche is a community threat and effective management requires a community-based integrated management approach. Recognizing the central role of farmers in parasitic weed management, a technical cooperation project (TCP) involving FAO, ICARDA and seven countries in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region was implemented to improve the dissemination of knowledge and skills by using a farmer field school approach: a form of education that uses experiential learning methods to build farmers’ expertise. This paper reviews conventional Orobanche research and development approaches, and highlights weaknesses in the management of the parasitic weed using these approaches as opposed to participatory approaches. The benefits and challenges of participatory farming system approaches in relation to integrated broomrape management (IBM) are also discussed. Lessons learned from achieving community ownership of, and institutional support for, IBM could be applied to other sectors (e.g. public health) in which there is a need for institutional learning and reform. Recommendations are made that include regional collaboration within the framework of a proposed Near East and North Africa Orobanche Management Network (NENAOMAN).     

Relationship between total sulphur and sulphur amino acids in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan [L.] Millsp.)

Total sulphur was determined in seed meal of 30 chickpea and 24 pigeonpea cultivars by the wet digestion procedure and by using the Leco sulphur analyser. Methionine and cystine were determined after performic acid oxidation in an amino acid analyser. The two methods used for total sulphur determinations were highly correlated (r=0.943). Percent meal protein was significantly correlated (r=0.476) with total sulphur in chickpea but not in the case of pigeonpea. Total sulphur content exhibited a significant positive correlation (r=0.651) with sulphur amino acids of pigeonpea when expressed as percent of protein but not in the case of chickpea. Correlation coefficients between total sulphur and sulphur amino acids when the results were expressed as percent of sample were positive for both chickpea (r=0.494) and pigeonpea (r=0.534). The amount of sulphur in methionine and cystine accounted for 54.8% of the total sulphur in chickpea and for 75.5% in pigeonpea. In both chickpea and pigeonpea, methionine was positively and significantly correlated with cystine when they were expressed either as percent of sample or as percent of protein.Submitted as J.A. no. 159 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

粉红粘帚菌代谢物对南方根结线虫卵孵化及二龄幼虫的影响

粉红粘帚菌(Gliocladium spp.)是一类对植物病原菌具有潜在生物控制作用的真菌,为了探讨粘帚菌对南方根结线虫(Meloidogyne incognita)的抑制作用,实验室条件下研究了粉红粘帚菌挥发性代谢产物和非挥发性代谢产物不同稀释度对南方根结线虫卵孵化及二龄幼虫活性的影响.结果显示非挥发性代谢产物在原液...     

Possible alternative utilization of Cynara spp.: I. Biomass, grain yield and chemical composition of grain

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.) are horticulturally important crop plants. These species have potential as biomass and oilseed crops. We field tested, for 3 years, two artichoke and two cardoon cultivars and one wild cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam.) population on the Sicilian plain of Catania (37°27′ N, 15°04′ E, 10 m a.s.l.). On a 3-year average, the dry aboveground biomass resulted about 31 t ha⁻¹ in both cultivated cardoons, 18.8 t ha⁻¹ in wild cardoon, 13.7 t ha⁻¹ in globe artichoke ‘3/10 V.S.’ and 9.9 t ha⁻¹ in globe artichoke ‘374’ F₁. The caloric values of aboveground biomass (except for seeds), which was not significantly different among genotypes, ranged between 16 005 and 17 028 KJ kg⁻¹ of dry matter. The cultivated cardoon ‘Gigante di Lucca’ had the greatest grain yield (on 3-year average, 2.6 t ha⁻¹), whereas the two globe artichokes had the lowest yield (on 3-year average, 0.5 t ha⁻¹). Regardless of genotypes and years, the grains contain 20.1% crude protein, 24.4% oil, 18.5% crude fiber and 4.1% ash (dry weight basis). The grains of globe artichokes showed the highest crude protein content (21.6%), whereas those of cardoons the highest oil content (25.2%).     

Root diseases, weeds, and nematodes with poultry litter and conservation tillage in a sweet corn–snap bean double crop

The effect of continuous applications of poultry litter on root diseases, nematodes, and weeds with different tillage practices in vegetable production in Georgia was investigated. Litter treatments (noncomposted and composted broiler or breeder litter) applied 3–5 weeks before planting were compared with no litter. In sweet corn and snap bean there were differences among years, and tillage and litter treatments had a variable effect on yield, post-emergence damping-off and plant stand. Crown and brace root rot in corn induced by Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 increased after 3 years conservation tillage, but there were no differences among litter treatments. Population densities of R. solani AG-4 were increased by conservation tillage before planting snap bean the first year but not in later years, while litter treatments had no effect. After 3 years, populations of Pythium spp., Fusarium solani, and Fusarium spp. did not differ among treatments, but noncomposted broiler litter increased populations of saprophytic fungi in soil compared with no litter. Population densities of stylet-bearing nematodes were low and usually not different among treatments. After 3 years of sweet corn populations of Meloidogyne incognita increased with conventional tillage compared with conservation tillage, populations of Paratrichodorus christiei were reduced by litter treatments and populations of Helicotylenchus dihystera were reduced by noncomposted broiler litter compared with no litter. Weed infestation increased in both tillage systems with time, but in snap bean there was a greater infestation in conservation tillage than in conventional tillage. Litter treatments had little effect on weed infestation.     

Application of an emulsifiable mixture of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin against root knot nematodes and soilborne fungi for greenhouse tomatoes in Italy

A mixture of 1,3-dicloropropene 60.5% w/w and chloropicrin 33.3% w/w (Telone C35 EC) may be registered in Italy for soil drip fumigation. Five experiments on greenhouse tomatoes in Northern, Central and Southern Italy compared the effectiveness of this mixture in comparison with methyl bromide to find the optimum application rate in soils infested by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f.sp. radicis lycopersici, Sclerotium rolfsii, Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita. Its efficacy against F. oxysporum f.sp. radicis lycopersici and M. incognita was confirmed when applied to soils at 100, 200, 300 and 400 l ha⁻¹ (132.4, 268.4, 402.6 and 536.8 kg ha⁻¹) under gas-tight films with 15–45 mm of application water (900–1200 mg Telone C35 EC l⁻¹). In sandy soils, with slight F. radicis lycopersici infections and with heavy nematode (M. incognita) attacks, the mixture, drip applied at 900 mg l⁻¹ during late summer (fumigation: late summer; transplant: late-summer/autumn; last harvest: early spring), performed well up to 132.4 kg ha⁻¹ (100 l ha⁻¹). In sandy loam soils with slight F. radicis lycopersici infections and severe infections of F. lycopersici and galling nematodes (M. javanica), 268.4 kg ha⁻¹ (200 l ha⁻¹) of the mixture applied at 900 mg l⁻¹ as a drip provided yields similar to those of methyl bromide treated plots both in spring and summer cycles. In sandy loam soils, the diseases (F. lycopersici, F. radicis lycopersici) were controlled at rates 268.4 kg ha⁻¹ (containing 90 kg ha⁻¹ of chloropicrin), but the mixture was ineffective against Sclerotium rolfsii occasionally observed in sandy loam soils. In both sandy and sandy loam soils, no significant relationships were found between the rates of mixture applied (132.4, 268.4, 402.6 and 536.8 kg ha⁻¹) and the degree of nematode infestation.