Tobacco Seedbed Preparation by Kumbiraiishe Ruzengwe0712011169

• Plough seedbed early (January-March) to allow decomposition

• Keep site clean (moisture conservation, to destroy alternative hosts)

• Fence area and provide windbreak

• Prepare for fumigation in May for June planting.

• Water the top 60cm to field capacity a week before fumigation to ensure that weeds and nematodes
are active.

• Cultivate the upper 30cm and remove large pieces of material.

• Accurately measure and mark the seedbed together with the paths to ensure that the entire area is
fumigated and that no unfumigated soil is brought into the site during bed preparation.

• Fumigate grass and sand mulch at the same time as the seedbed site.

FUMIGATION
Fumigation is mainly done to control nematodes (meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria)
broad-leaved weeds, grasses, and several other soil fungi and disease pathogens. E.g.. Anthracnose.

SYMPTOMS OF NEMATODES DAMAGE

• Blockage of water and nutrients uptake

• Secondary infection through wounds.

• Gulls on roots.

• Weak crop.

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METHODS OF NEMATODE CONTROL
• Cultural- crop rotation, use of resistant varieties

• Biological control

• Nematicides

• Surface burning

• Heat sterilization

Chemicals used for fumigation

Mithyl bromide and EDB used to be the chemicals of choice but these were banned since they are not
environmental friendly. Alternatives to these chemicals are

• Methane sodium -used in seedbeds and field and in horticulture

• chloropicrin.

• Methane potassium -used in seedbeds

• Dazomet

• Oxamyl -used in seedbeds and lands and in horticulture

• Iodemathane

• Fenamiphos

• Basamid

• Methyliodide- used in seedbeds

• Velum- a new nematicide

• 1, 3 –D + 35% chloropicrin.cid- Controls nematode, weeds, pathogens and other insects.

For all your insecticides, fungicides, seeds visit Farm Distributors “corner second and Kenneth Kaunda”

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