Evaluation of a Peroxyacetic Acid Disinfectant in Hot-water Treatment for the Control of Basal Rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. narcissi) and Stem Nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) in Narcissus

Formaldehyde is used routinely in the hot-water treatment (HWT) of narcissus bulbs for the control of stem nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) and basal rot (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. narcissi). Formaldehyde is unpleasant for operators to use, and does not kill all of the thick-walled chlamydospores of F. oxysporum and so less hazardous but more effective materials are being sought. Peroxyacetic acid (as Jet 5, a commercial disinfectant containing 5% peroxyacetic acid) was evaluated in vitro and in a field trial as a possible alternative to formaldehyde. In laboratory studies, peroxyacetic acid (as 1% Jet 5) was as effective as formaldehyde (as 0.5% commercial formalin containing 38 to 40% formaldehyde) in killing free-swimming stem nematodes and nematodes in the wool stage. Peroxyacetic acid (as 0.5% Jet 5) killed F. oxysporum chlamydospores within 1 h, whereas total kill was not achieved with formaldehyde (concentration as above) after 4 h. In a 2 year field trial, there was no evidence of detrimental effects on a healthy narcissus stock due to using peroxyacetic acid. In an infested, diseased stock, bulbs were virtually destroyed by stem nematode within 2 years when HWT was not given. The greatest reduction in nematode symptoms, and the highest bulb yields, were found when formaldehyde or the higher rates of peroxyacetic acid were used in combination with thiabendazole.