The most efficient control method is preplant soil fumigation with
methyl bromide (Mbr). That can reduce the
M. incognita reproduction by almost 100%. However, the soil fumigant methyl bromide has been phased out in 2005 because of its negative effects on the ozone layer. A 1995 economic study declared that banning methyl bromide without an alternative method of controlling nematodes would cost the nation's bell pepper industry $127 million in losses. Some Mbr alternatives have been tested, such as
Metham sodium plus
chloropicrin (Mna+Pic) and
1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) plus Pic. Mna+Pic provided equal or better
Meloidogyne control than methyl bromide plus pic, for sting nematode, they are equal to MBR plus pic. Other alternative such as Multiguard, which is a formulation of
furfural, a compound derived from sugarcane waste, which has been reported to have both nematicidal and antifungal properties. Nematode-resistant bell pepper cultivar is another method to control nematode population. Two bell pepper cultivars,
Carolina Wonder and
Charleston Belle, have been widely planted in the United States. However, while these varieties offer resistance to
M. incognita, they are susceptible to
M. enterolobii.
Crop rotation and the addition of soil amendments have demonstrated some positive results in reducing
M. enterolobii populations. The root-knot resistant bell peppers are not suggested to be planted in the field all over the seasons because that will select more
M. enterolobii, which will survive and become a big population. Meanwhile, less severe yield loss of susceptible bell peppers has been observed when growing them after resistant bell peppers. == References ==