Sugar:soil ratio for RKN prevention

Author

Comment

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1431199442	Reply with quote #1

I've seen it mentioned that some people use sugar in their potting soil to prevent RKN and even use it dissolved in water to treat it. Does anyone know how much sugar you would add to a five gallon pot for prevention? I haven't seen a ratio mentioned. Thanks Paul __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

MoZuKa

Registered:1425873385
Posts: 47

Posted 1431210023

Reply with quote #2

From what I read to suffocate the nematodes you can mix ½ cup of sugar into 1 gallon of water and pour directly into the soil that is affected by nematode.

__________________

Wish List: Black Madeira. Martinenca Rimada, Bardissot Blanca Rimada, Bardissot Negra Rimada, Paratjal Rimada, Albacor Comuna, Bourjasotte Grise, Coll De Dama Negra

My Fig Varieties: Red Saudi, BTM6, Green Jordan, Jumbo, Taiwan Golden Fig, Tenna, Texas Everbearing, Black Mission, Brunswick, Noire de Caromb, White Kadota, White Andriatic, Flanders, Masui Dauphine (A), De La Reina, Beat Ramon

R.I.P.: Brown Turkey, Longue D'aute, Improve Brown Turkey, Coll de Dama Negra, Abicou, Black Ichia, Negronne, Panache

Living in a cave in Malaysia, Borneo....

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1431281747	Reply with quote #3

I remember reading scientists use sugary water to flush RKN from the soil for research. I was under the impression the nematodes were alive after being flushed out. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1431300234	Reply with quote #4

Mr Robin uses sugar in the potting soil to prevent infestation? Does anyone know the ratio of sugar to soil ? __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1431309916	Reply with quote #5

If they are potted, why would you get RKN? Use a sterile potting mix and keep the pots off the ground I think you would be good. I can't see how adding sugar would prevent it, the sugar would wash out with subsequent watering. __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1431311316 · Edited	Reply with quote #6

Non of the scientific papers I've read support the use of sugar to eliminate a nematode infestation. Most of the support on the internet for sugar therapy is just not supported. Dr. Jerry Parsons, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas A&M, had this to say about the subject in 2006: Quote: Sometimes people resort to home remedies to control nematodes such as planting marigolds or mixing sugar or lye into the soil. Of these three, only dense populations of marigolds are effective in controlling nematode populations. Marigolds secrete toxic compounds of an a-terthienyl type into the soil which kills nematodes but planting a few marigolds around annual plants in infested soil will NOT prevent infection. Marigolds also act as a trap crop. Nematodes enter their roots but are unable to complete their life cycle. Trapped nematodes die without reproducing. To be effective marigolds must be planted as a solid crop and grown for 90 days to begin secreting the three compounds of an a-terthienyl type to reduce the nematode population. Phil, If the native soil has an RKN infestation, it will find its way into containers. Elevating the containers from the ground helps, but does not eliminate the risk. There is still the risk from dirty tools, hands, etc or from airborne soil during digging activities. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1431312399	Reply with quote #7

Yes, they are tiny buggers, aren't they? And I would think once they are in a pot the tree is likely doomed as the roots are trapped. I have them in NC. From what I've read, they don't like organic mixes (though nobody seems to know why), they stay near the surface as they need light (I've read no more than a foot or so deep). If planted in ground near a concrete slab the roots that grow under the slab may remain uninfected. One remedy from a man in FL was to plant the tree in a bottomless 5 gallon bucket with heavy mulching - the roots grow out of the pot below where the nematodes are, and the mulch is supposed to 'repel' them. That said, mine are too young to know yet. I have 3 in a raised bed with heavy organic mix about 3 ft from my house - concrete slab. In their first year (last year) they grew like gangbusters. I planted others out in the yard using the bottomless bucket method, they did not grow nearly as well. There are many in my neighborhood in NC, and all the ones that do well are near 'structure' as the locals like to say. __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1431316395	Reply with quote #8

Thank you for all the insights into the issue! Paul __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

binbin9

Registered:1387923330
Posts: 220

Posted 1431531075	Reply with quote #9

I thought marigolds were good to suppress nematodes. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng045 __________________ Renton, WA My Seattle Garden Blog \| Fig Addiction WISH LIST: Genovese Nero Rafeds \| UCR 187-25 \| Black Tuscan \| Black Triana \| Jack Lilly \| Barbillone \| St Rita \| Tauro \| Jin Ao Fen \| Lampeira Preto \| Any fig over 100grams =)

MoZuKa

Registered:1425873385
Posts: 47

Posted 1431563255

Reply with quote #10

Marigold work as a trap crop for nemotodes.
__________________

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1431575731	Reply with quote #11

RKN's natural mobility is extremely limited. This is why Dr Parson suggested a solid crop. Anything less will not be effective. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Modal title

Insert Code

Please paste your code into the box below: