Certis’ garlic-based nematicide NEMguard DE has been authorised for use in sugar beet to reduce Docking disorder symptoms caused by free-living nematodes (FLN).
Docking disorder symptoms – stunted plants, root fanging and reduction in root size – are caused by FLN Trichodorus spp. & Paratrichodorus spp. (stubby root nematodes) and/or Longidorus spp. (needle nematodes).
These nematodes are prevalent in light sandy soils which comprise 10 to 15 percent of the beet growing area.
Vydate no longer available
Previously yield losses were minimised using nematicides such as Vydate (oxamyl) which is no longer available.
BBRO has sought alternatives and in conjunction with NEMguard DE manufacturer Ecospray and distributor Certis conducted three in-field strip trials in 2021 to test it against Vydate and untreated controls on FLN vulnerable sites.
BBRO crop protection scientist Dr Alistair Wright says it was a year with perfect conditions for FLN and following the trials BBRO are confident that NEMguard DE worked as well as Vydate for FLN management.
The treatments were compared by assessing the extent of fanging damage to roots from 0 with no fangs to 4 with severe fanging and damage.
The graph below shows results from one field site near Thetford, Norfolk where a 10kg/ha dose of NEMguard DE halved the fanging score.
