Extension Circular 59-1831 is about plant diseases specifically the soil treatments for damping – off. This includes the fungicides for damping-off, nematicides, soil sterilants, and the precautions

Weihing, John L.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - LincolnDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - LincolnHistorical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension1959EC59-1831 Plant Diseases : Soil Treatments forDamping-OffJohn L. WeihingFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhistThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted forinclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University ofNebraska - Lincoln.Weihing, John L., "EC59-1831 Plant Diseases : Soil Treatments for Damping-Off " (1959). Historical Materials from University ofNebraska-Lincoln Extension. 3493.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/3493~ S> 8'5"" E1 E.C. 59-1831 #~- ~~~~::::;; NT DISEASES t831 JOHN L. WEIHING Extension Plant Pathologist Treatments r Damping-Off Y a~<&equently subject to infection by ce-rt ~ngi, ,_.~o~'?sing them to wilt, fall over and o_i,~ase is called "damping-off". It is ar~~"0ttimon in greenhouse flats. benches, pots, hot~d~"" ~d home indoor plantings. ~\.'t,f3 ~<Q ~ Sometime~e soii in the garden will become infested with microscopic worm-like organisms called nematodes capable of attacking plant roots and causing swellings or roots to die. Such infested plants are inferior i.nsizeJand. vigor and may degenerate until death. In general, there are three types of compounds em-ployed for damping-off and nematode control: 1) flmgicides · for damping-off, 2) nematicides for nematodes and 3) soil sterilants which kill bOth furigi and nematodes. --EXTENSION SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING W. V. LAMBERT, niRECTOR E. W • .JANIKE, ASSOC. DIRECTOR FUNGICIDES FOR DAMPING-OFF Zineb- (Sold as Parzate and Dithane Z-78). The soil shoUld be loose, fine in texture and fairly dry. Apply Zineb dust at a rate of 1/2 oz. per sq. ft. Mix into the upper 2 to 3 inches of soil. The seed can be planted im-mediately after treatment of the soil. Thiram - (Sold as Arasan) - Apply same as Zineb. Captan· - (Sold as Orthocide or Captan- 50)- Apply same as Zineb. Semesan ..- (An organic mercury) - This chemical should be applied as a drench. Use 1 level teaspoon per gallon of water and apply this solution with a sprinkling can at the rate of 3 pints per 10 square feet. The soil should be loose, dry and level. Planting may be done as i:l:>on as the soil is sufficiently dry. NEMATICIDES The nematicide chemicals, when placed in the soil, will volatalize and fumigate the soil. There are a number of different fumigants but some require special applica-tion equipment. There are two kinds which are suited to the needs of the home gardner. 1) Ethylene dibromide, 2) A dichloropropane- dichloropropene mixture. These chemicals are sold under various trade names some ofwhich are given below. Chemical Various trade names Ethylene clibromi de. 40% (EDB-40) Ethylene di.bromide, 85o/o (EDB-85} Dichloropropane-di-chloropropene (DD) Dowfume W- 40, Soilfume 60-40. Iscobrome 40. Bromofwne 40. EDB-8& Dowfume-85. Nemex-85. Garden Dowfume. Soilfwne-85. DD, Nemafume - 2 -These chemicals are sold as liquids. Ethylene d:i,bromide· also can be obtained in capsules under the trade name "Soilfume caps"-each capsule containing one-half cubic centimeter of pure chemical. Preparing the land: First, spade (or plow) and rake the soil to seedbed tilth. Be sure to remove any un-decayed roots of the preceding season. Soil temperature: Soil temperature should not be lower than 40 ° F. and not higher than 80 ° F. when ap-plication is made. Take the temperature of the soil six inches below the surface . Methods of application: There are two ways that the chemical may be conveniently applied: 1. The furrow method. a. With a hoe make furrows in the soil 12 inches apart and 6 to 8 inches deep. A fruit jar with two nail h<;>les punched in opposite sides of the metal qaps makes a suitable applicator. Fill with chemical and recap the jar. Now walk along the furrow dribbling the chemical in the bottom of the furrow. After application of not more than 100 feet, stop, rake over and cover the furrow. Pack 1he soil lightly to help seal the gas in the soil. b. The amounts to apply: EDB-40 - one pint per 150 to 170 linear feet of row. DD " " " " " " " It I I " ECB-8~ 1/4 " " " " " " " II " II o.. Now wait at least two weeks before planting anything in the ground since these chemicals are toxic to plants and ge_rminating seeds. If the tern-perature during this two weeks waiting period is low (below 60° F.) or if there has been excessive rain, the time lapse should be increased to three weeks . - 3 -2. The spot method. a. Prepare ground as outlined above under 1, a . b. Punch small holes to a depth of 6 to 8 inches each 12 mches apart over the area to be fumigated . c. Place one EDB fumigant capsule in eachhole and cover immediately with soil. d. Wait at least two to three weeks before planting. There are some newer nematicides which have given promising nematode control that you may wish to try. They are Telone, Darlane, Nemagon and Fumazone. If used, follow manufacturer's recommendations. SOIL STERILANTS Formaldehtde - Where large amounts of soil are to be sterilized,ormaldehyde may be used at the rate of one gallon to 50 gallons of w ater. This solution should be applied at a rate of one- gallon to a square foot of . s.oil surface. After treating, the soil should be covered with a wet tarpaulin or sacks for 24 hours or more. Afte.r this the soil should be turned over once or twice to let the gas escape. Do not plant seeds or plants in such soil until it has been aired out for at least 24 hours . For small amounts of soil use two and one-half tablespoons of commercial formaldehyde for each bushel of soil. This formal<;iehyde should be mixed with five or six times as much water, sprinkled over the soil. and then mixed in well. Such soil should be put in a covered !'l,irtight box or can and allowed to stand for 24 hours. Then air out the soil until all odor of formaldehyde has disappeared before seeding or setting plants in it. - 4 -Chloropicrin - Chloropicrin {sold under the trade name Larvacide) is commonly known as tear gas. It is dangerous to use and a gas mask should be worn while working with it. Success with this type of soil treatment depends es-pecially upon the following four points: 1) good loose friable soil, 2) fairly high soil temperatures {65 oF. or higher), 3) moderate soil moisture {when soil will hold its shape when squeezed in the hand), and 4) proper applica-tion. An applicator which automatically deposits a measured quantity of the chloropicrin when the tip is in-serted in the soil is made by the company selling this chemical. Parellel marks 10 inches apart are made the length of the beds and~ injection of 2 cubic millihters of the liquid is made every 9 inches along these marks. It is necessary to sprinkle the treated area promptly with water to retain the gas. The soil must stand 10 to 15 days before planting or until no odor of the gas can be detected on digging. Vapam: {Sodium N-methyl dithiocarbamate-anhydrous 30%) - The-soil should be fairly fine andof.aufficient moisture c(l)Ittent to insure maximum gas penetration and weed germination. These conditions should be maintained for at least 5 days prior to treating. The soil tempera-ture should be from 500 to 7 5 o F. or above. For clay soils use a dosage of 11/2 to 2 quarts per 100 sq. ft. For light and medium textured soils, the basic dosage is 1 qt. per 100 sq. ft. When applying Vapam it should be sprinkled uniformly over the soil surface in 1 to 3 gallons of water per 100 sq. ft. Apply a water seal to the upper 1 inch of treated soil. Do not treat more than 100 sq. ft. at a time before applying the water seal. When the top treated soil has dried sufficiently, cultivate it 1 to 2 inches deep. Do not plant until 2 to 3 weeks after treating. ~lone - (85o/o dimethyltetrahydro - 1, 3, 5J 2H-thia-diaz e-2-thione). A relatively new soil fumigant. Follow manufacturer's directions and recommenda-tions. - 5 -Methyl bromide - This chemical is a superior soil steril-ant. It is sold as a liquid in pre~sure containers but be-comes a gas when released in temperatures above 39 oF. It must be applied under plastic or other types of gas-proof ~overs. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application. Heat - Heat is a good soil sterilant. In the home where only a few pots of soil need to be sterilized, you can do this in an oven or pressure cooker. Heating moist soil in the oven to at least 180 o F. for 1 I 2 to one hour or in a pressure cooker for 2 hours at 15 lbs. pressure is sufficient. Greenhouses that are heated by steam can adapt systems to utilize the steam heat for soil sterilization. Observe These Precautions The fumigant andsterilant chemicals are poisonous. READ THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THEM AT ALL TIMES. Avoid breathing their vapors. They cause burns if allowed to stay on the skin. Remove them immediately by washing with lots of soap and water . Clothing and smes which have been spilled upon should be removed and thoroughly cleaned before being worn again. - 6 -

EC59-1831  Plant Diseases : Soil Treatments for Damping-Off

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-
Lincoln Extension Extension
1959
EC59-1831 Plant Diseases : Soil Treatments for
Damping-Off
John L. Weihing
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for
inclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of
Nebraska - Lincoln.
Weihing, John L., "EC59-1831 Plant Diseases : Soil Treatments for Damping-Off " (1959). Historical Materials from University of
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 3493.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/3493
~ 
S> 
8'5"" 
E1 
E.C. 59-1831 
#~- ~~~~::::;; NT 
DISEASES t831 
JOHN L. WEIHING 
Extension Plant Pathologist 
Treatments 
r Damping-Off 
Y a~<&equently subject to infection 
by ce-rt ~ngi, ,_.~o~'?sing them to wilt, fall 
over and o_i,~ase is called "damping-
off". It is ar~~"0ttimon in greenhouse flats. 
benches, pots, hot~d~"" ~d home indoor plantings. 
~\.'t,f3 ~<Q ~ Sometime~e soii in the garden will become infested 
with microscopic worm-like organisms called nematodes 
capable of attacking plant roots and causing swellings or 
roots to die. Such infested plants are inferior i.nsizeJand. 
vigor and may degenerate until death. 
In general, there are three types of compounds em-
ployed for damping-off and nematode control: 1) flmgicides · 
for damping-off, 2) nematicides for nematodes and 3) soil 
sterilants which kill bOth furigi and nematodes. --
EXTENSION SERVICE 
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
AND U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
COOPERATING 
W. V. LAMBERT, niRECTOR E. W • .JANIKE, ASSOC. DIRECTOR 
FUNGICIDES FOR DAMPING-OFF 
Zineb- (Sold as Parzate and Dithane Z-78). The soil 
shoUld be loose, fine in texture and fairly dry. Apply 
Zineb dust at a rate of 1/2 oz. per sq. ft. Mix into the 
upper 2 to 3 inches of soil. The seed can be planted im-
mediately after treatment of the soil. 
Thiram - (Sold as Arasan) - Apply same as Zineb. 
Captan· - (Sold as Orthocide or Captan- 50)- Apply 
same as Zineb. 
Semesan ..- (An organic mercury) - This chemical 
should be applied as a drench. Use 1 level teaspoon per 
gallon of water and apply this solution with a sprinkling 
can at the rate of 3 pints per 10 square feet. The soil 
should be loose, dry and level. Planting may be done as 
i:l:>on as the soil is sufficiently dry. 
NEMATICIDES 
The nematicide chemicals, when placed in the soil, 
will volatalize and fumigate the soil. There are a number 
of different fumigants but some require special applica-
tion equipment. There are two kinds which are suited to 
the needs of the home gardner. 
1) Ethylene dibromide, 
2) A dichloropropane- dichloropropene mixture. 
These chemicals are sold under various trade names 
some ofwhich are given below. 
Chemical Various trade names 
Ethylene clibromi de. 
40% (EDB-40) 
Ethylene di.bromide, 
85o/o (EDB-85} 
Dichloropropane-di-
chloropropene (DD) 
Dowfume W- 40, Soilfume 60-40. 
Iscobrome 40. Bromofwne 40. 
EDB-8& Dowfume-85. Nemex-85. 
Garden Dowfume. Soilfwne-85. 
DD, Nemafume 
- 2 -
These chemicals are sold as liquids. Ethylene 
d:i,bromide· also can be obtained in capsules under the 
trade name "Soilfume caps"-each capsule containing one-
half cubic centimeter of pure chemical. 
Preparing the land: First, spade (or plow) and rake 
the soil to seedbed tilth. Be sure to remove any un-
decayed roots of the preceding season. 
Soil temperature: Soil temperature should not be 
lower than 40 ° F. and not higher than 80 ° F. when ap-
plication is made. Take the temperature of the soil six 
inches below the surface . 
Methods of application: There are two ways that the 
chemical may be conveniently applied: 
1. The furrow method. 
a. With a hoe make furrows in the soil 12 inches 
apart and 6 to 8 inches deep. A fruit jar with two 
nail h<;>les punched in opposite sides of the metal 
qaps makes a suitable applicator. Fill with 
chemical and recap the jar. Now walk along the 
furrow dribbling the chemical in the bottom of the 
furrow. After application of not more than 100 
feet, stop, rake over and cover the furrow. Pack 
1he soil lightly to help seal the gas in the soil. 
b. The amounts to apply: 
EDB-40 - one pint per 150 to 170 linear feet of row. 
DD " " " " " " " 
It I I 
" 
ECB-8~ 1/4 " " " " " " " II " II 
o.. Now wait at least two weeks before planting 
anything in the ground since these chemicals are 
toxic to plants and ge_rminating seeds. If the tern-
perature during this two weeks waiting period is 
low (below 60° F.) or if there has been excessive 
rain, the time lapse should be increased to three 
weeks . 
- 3 -
2. The spot method. 
a. Prepare ground as outlined above under 1, a . 
b. Punch small holes to a depth of 6 to 8 inches 
each 12 mches apart over the area to be fumigated . 
c. Place one EDB fumigant capsule in eachhole 
and cover immediately with soil. 
d. Wait at least two to three weeks before 
planting. 
There are some newer nematicides which have given 
promising nematode control that you may wish to try. 
They are Telone, Darlane, Nemagon and Fumazone. 
If used, follow manufacturer's recommendations. 
SOIL STERILANTS 
Formaldehtde - Where large amounts of soil are to 
be sterilized,ormaldehyde may be used at the rate of 
one gallon to 50 gallons of w ater. This solution should 
be applied at a rate of one- gallon to a square foot of . s.oil 
surface. After treating, the soil should be covered with 
a wet tarpaulin or sacks for 24 hours or more. Afte.r 
this the soil should be turned over once or twice to let 
the gas escape. Do not plant seeds or plants in such 
soil until it has been aired out for at least 24 hours . 
For small amounts of soil use two and one-half 
tablespoons of commercial formaldehyde for each bushel 
of soil. This formal<;iehyde should be mixed with five or 
six times as much water, sprinkled over the soil. and 
then mixed in well. Such soil should be put in a covered 
!'l,irtight box or can and allowed to stand for 24 hours. 
Then air out the soil until all odor of formaldehyde has 
disappeared before seeding or setting plants in it. 
- 4 -
Chloropicrin - Chloropicrin {sold under the trade 
name Larvacide) is commonly known as tear gas. It is 
dangerous to use and a gas mask should be worn while 
working with it. 
Success with this type of soil treatment depends es-
pecially upon the following four points: 1) good loose 
friable soil, 2) fairly high soil temperatures {65 oF. or 
higher), 3) moderate soil moisture {when soil will hold its 
shape when squeezed in the hand), and 4) proper applica-
tion. An applicator which automatically deposits a 
measured quantity of the chloropicrin when the tip is in-
serted in the soil is made by the company selling this 
chemical. Parellel marks 10 inches apart are made the 
length of the beds and~ injection of 2 cubic millihters of 
the liquid is made every 9 inches along these marks. It 
is necessary to sprinkle the treated area promptly with 
water to retain the gas. The soil must stand 10 to 15 
days before planting or until no odor of the gas can be 
detected on digging. 
Vapam: {Sodium N-methyl dithiocarbamate-anhydrous 
30%) - The-soil should be fairly fine andof.aufficient 
moisture c(l)Ittent to insure maximum gas penetration and 
weed germination. These conditions should be maintained 
for at least 5 days prior to treating. The soil tempera-
ture should be from 500 to 7 5 o F. or above. For clay 
soils use a dosage of 11/2 to 2 quarts per 100 sq. ft. For 
light and medium textured soils, the basic dosage is 1 qt. 
per 100 sq. ft. 
When applying Vapam it should be sprinkled uniformly 
over the soil surface in 1 to 3 gallons of water per 100 
sq. ft. Apply a water seal to the upper 1 inch of treated 
soil. Do not treat more than 100 sq. ft. at a time before 
applying the water seal. When the top treated soil has 
dried sufficiently, cultivate it 1 to 2 inches deep. Do not 
plant until 2 to 3 weeks after treating. 
~lone - (85o/o dimethyltetrahydro - 1, 3, 5J 2H-thia-
diaz e-2-thione). A relatively new soil fumigant. 
Follow manufacturer's directions and recommenda-
tions. 
- 5 -
Methyl bromide - This chemical is a superior soil steril-
ant. It is sold as a liquid in pre~sure containers but be-
comes a gas when released in temperatures above 39 oF. 
It must be applied under plastic or other types of gas-
proof ~overs. Follow the manufacturer's directions 
for application. 
Heat - Heat is a good soil sterilant. In the home where 
only a few pots of soil need to be sterilized, you can do 
this in an oven or pressure cooker. Heating moist soil 
in the oven to at least 180 o F. for 1 I 2 to one hour or in 
a pressure cooker for 2 hours at 15 lbs. pressure is 
sufficient. 
Greenhouses that are heated by steam can adapt 
systems to utilize the steam heat for soil sterilization. 
Observe These Precautions 
The fumigant andsterilant chemicals are poisonous. 
READ THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL AND FOLLOW 
THEM AT ALL TIMES. Avoid breathing their vapors. 
They cause burns if allowed to stay on the skin. Remove 
them immediately by washing with lots of soap and water . 
Clothing and smes which have been spilled upon should be 
removed and thoroughly cleaned before being worn again. 
- 6 -


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EC59-1831 Plant Diseases : Soil Treatments for Damping-Off

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