By Clint Thompson
Salibro nematicide provides Florida vegetable growers another new tool in the toolbox when managing nematodes.
Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses Salibro and its impact on the soil pests.
“We have this new nematicide called Salibro which is from Corteva. It’s a product I know very well,” Desaeger said. “It’s a strict nematicide, so it really doesn’t kill anything else but nematodes. It’s labeled in vegetables, but it’s not labeled in strawberries yet. It’s very selective, very safe. It’s got an in-crop label also, which of course is also a good thing to have. It’s not going to replace your fumigant I would say, but it’s going to give growers at least an option to do something after they plant.
Nematodes have a wide host range and are most prevalent in Florida’s sandy soils. Root-knot nematodes enter the roots of plants and move through cells until they reach sites where they grow, produce additional eggs and cause the roots to swell. This reduces the plant’s growth and any potential yield.
“This is Florida, so they’re always going to be here. The best we can do is find a way to live with them and keep them below their damage levels,” Desaeger said.
While fumigants are the main source of treatment for nematodes, Salibro provides an extra layer of protection for producers.
“It’s great for nematicides because there’s not much out there right now, other than fumigants. There’s still Vydate. Vydate’s an old product where people don’t like to mess with it. Then there’s Velum as in-plant. Now there’s Salibro, so at least there’s another option,” Desaeger said.