Jul 11, 2023

A Successful Season Starts With TELONE™

Managing nematodes and improving crop health begins in the soil

(Sponsored) Healthy crops start with healthy soil. It’s a simple equation, but growers face many obstacles when it comes to preparing their soil ahead of planting. One of the biggest challenges a grower faces is often unseen, but incredibly destructive—nematodes. Nematodes are tiny parasites that can take a significant toll on your crops by stunting their growth, leading to reduced plant health, and ultimately, reduced yield. And because nematodes are so small, by the time you realize you have a probably it’s already too late. Microscopic in size, this pest is tiny but the damage it leaves in its wake can be epic in proportion. In the United States alone, the economic impact of nematodes adds up to an $8 billion-dollar loss annually!

The World’s Best Defense Against Nematodes: TELONE™

So how can a grower defend against nematodes? Simple—before planting, prep the soil using TELONE™. TELONE™ is a pre-plant soil fumigant for controlling all major species of nematodes — including root-knot, lesion, dagger, stubby-root, ring and cyst. TELONE™ creates a zone of protection around developing roots by injecting into the soil as a liquid and immediately converting to a gas. TELONE™ then moves throughout the soil profile without requiring water or incorporation for movement, and can be row-applied or broadcast, for maximum application flexibility. Nematodes and pathogenic soil organisms are found throughout the soil profile making it difficult for some soil fumigants to reach, but TELONE™ is injected 18” deep into the soil, ensuring even the deepest nematodes are properly controlled.

Using a TELONE™ + Chloropicrin Blend for a One-Two Punch  

Depending on what part of the country you’re growing in, you might want to consider using Chloropicrin in addition to TELONE™. “Using a blend of TELONE™ and Chloropicrin offers growers additional benefits because while TELONE™ targets nematodes, Chloropicrin helps combat soilborne diseases, and is especially helpful in combatting prunus rootstock disease,” says Greg Roberson, TELONE™ Specialist for the Mid-Atlantic Region. TELONE™/Chloropicrin blends are available pre-mixed, or the two individual products can be co-applied at the time of application. Your TELONE™ Specialist will work with you to help you analyze your soil, understand your specific areas of concern, and create a custom integrated pest management plan that fits your specific needs and budget.

The Importance of Soil Health

Using TELONE™ to help control nematodes before planting also has additional benefits for growers concerned with soil health. A groundbreaking study published in the well-regarded Phytobiomes Journal reveals that plots treated with 1,3 Dichloropropene, or 1,3-D, (sold under the brand name TELONE™) were richer in beneficial bacterial communities than plots left untreated, showing that TELONE™ targets nematodes while letting beneficial organisms rebound quickly. TELONE™ targets crop-destroying nematodes, while creating a carbohydrate-rich environment allowing healthy bacteria to thrive, resulting in improved soil health. The study demonstrated that 1,3-D fumigation did not negatively affect overall microbial community profiles nor microbial richness and diversity.

“Soil health is everything. Without proper soil health, good bacteria and good fungus can’t thrive, and the plant cannot grow because the root system cannot be fed,” says Robin Matson, PNW TELONE Specialist. “Proper soil health enhances feeding of the root system by making key nutrients more available and increasing the plant’s ability to capture water.”

Additionally, in December 2021, University of Florida plant pathologists released a meta-analysis analyzing the impact of fumigants on non-target soil microorganisms. Their report concluded that, while fumigation can decrease biological abundance and diversity by 10 to 50% immediately after application, the effect is temporary: according to their findings, populations rebounded within 4-6 weeks following fumigation with chloropicrin/1,3-D (TELONE^TM) mixtures. That means you can feel good knowing you’re targeting nematodes while prepping your soil to rebound back healthier than before.

To learn more about how TELONE™ can be the star of your integrated pest management plan, contact your local TELONE^TM Distributor or visit www.teleosag.com to connect with a TELONE^TM Specialist. Remember, there’s no coming back from a poor start!

TELONE is a Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow, used under license. TELONE is a federally Restricted Use Pesticide. Always read and follow label directions.