Abstract

Soil at 2 sites was treated with dichloropropene (224 litres Telone II/ha), 220 or 330 kg dazomet or 204 or 306 kg metham sodium/ha in Sept.-Nov., primarily to control nematodes, and rolled to seal the surface in readiness for planting raspberries in April 1978 and 1979 following potatoes or kale. At a 3rd site, soil was treated with 320 kg dazomet incorporated to a depth of 20 cm and sealed with clear polyethylene sheet before planting strawberries in March 1979. Dichloropropene had no effect on weed seed banks but dazomet significantly reduced seedling numbers in soil samples transferred to a greenhouse. Application of dazomet with subsequent sealing with polyethylene sheet eliminated reserves of viable seeds in the soil.