A multi-year study on the effects of fluazaindolizine on Meloidogyne incognita in ginger

Summary The root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne incognita ) is one of the major challenges for ginger growers in China for which novel nematicide solutions are urgently needed. Therefore, during 2017 to 2021, 16 field experiments were conducted to determine the optimal application rate, application window and field performance of three novel non-fumigant nematicides (fluazaindolizine, fluopyram, and fluensulfone). In four experiments from 2017, fluazaindolizine applied twice, with 1.5 kg a.s. ha −1 at tuber planting followed by 1.5 kg a.s. ha −1 at the first soil coverage, increased plant growth, marketable tuber yield and reduced root gall index on ginger relative to that of the non-treated control. In addition, fluazaindolizine outperformed fosthiazate, which was considered as a local standard. In the 12 experiments from 2018 to 2021, the same application pattern of fluazaindolizine as in the 2017 trials reduced root gall index compared with the non-treated control and resulted in the most consistent and highest marketable ginger yield. This was followed by fluensulfone at 3.6 kg a.s. ha −1 and fluopyram at 0.63 kg a.s. ha −1 . Overall, the experiments showed that for consistent ginger quality the key application timing to be a base treatment at transplanting. For additional improvements of ginger quality, this base treatment should be supplemented with an additional in-season application around the first soil coverage. Our results clearly show that all three of the novel nematicides can play an important role in future nematode management strategies and that technically they will be able to replace older materials.