Response of a Sugarcane Nematode Population to the Addition of Nematocides in Irrigation Water

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in which two nematocides, Nemagon and Fumazone, were applied to sugarcane in irrigation water. The experiment consisted of five treatments: Nemagon 1/2, Nemagon 1, Fumazone 1/2, Fumazone 1 gallon per acre, and control, which consisted of an application of water without nematocide. Two applications were given during the year, the first at planting time, the second 5 months after planting. It was found that the parasitic-nematode population was reduced after the application of the nematocides and, thereafter, the population was gradually increased. Although there was a trend towards higher values for sucrose, cane, and sugar per acre in the plots treated with nematocides, the differences were not significant when compared with the control.