Efficacy of soil fumigation with dazomet for controlling ginger bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) in China

Dazomet (DZ) is a potential alternative to methyl bromide (MB) for combatting ginger bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. MB was scheduled to be phased out by 2015 in China, except for temporary critical use exemptions (CUEs) in ginger production. Laboratory studies and field trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of DZ on R. solanacearum. The results showed that the EC50 and EC80 values of DZ were 27.6 and 51.7 mg a.i. kg−1 soil, respectively. In field trials, DZ treatments at a dose of 80 g m−2 exhibited results similar to MB treatment compared with the R. solanacearum control group in terms of plant mortality, plant growth, rhizome disease indices, and yield. Significantly better results from all fumigant treatments were observed compared with those of the untreated control. These results indicate that DZ could be applied in integrated pest management programs of ginger as a promising alternative to MB for controlling ginger bacterial wilt in China.