If the issue is root knot nematodes (fungicide use is not related to them) and they aren't an 'infection' per se but a pest then the common advice is to NOT till as it only spreads them to other parts of the garden.

The most effective way I have found to deal with them is to use beneficial nematodes. I have been able to cut my RNK problems by 2/3 using them.

Dave

Thanks Dave, please suggest few good beneficial nemetodes/sources. I was recommended to use LGAV02 Actinovate Fungicide which test showed to reduce nemetodes.

Wow that is unusual as many soil fungus are actually detrimental to them. Why kill the killers?

But the source of beneficial nems I use is gardensalive.com They are also available from arbico-organics and several other sources.

Be advised, they ain't cheap. :)

Dave

Actinovate is actually a beneficial , I think it's a bacteria but maybe a fungi species? I don't remember. But, it kills bad bacteria by making the area inhospitable, sort of the good guys against the bad guys. Doesn't work like traditional poisons.

Dave, is this what you are refering to as beneficial nemetodes?

http://www.amazon.com/Pyes-Scanmask-Million-Beneficial-Nematodes/dp/B000MRD5JO

OR is there an alternate product. I cant afford to lose tomatoes this season, I have spent a lot of money and time. Please see if this is the right product

Possibly. They say they are sf nematodes (Steinernema Feltiae) but I'm not familiar with the brand. I linked the ones I buy from gardensalive below.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardens Alive Beneficial Nematodes

Thanks for the link Dave, I was able to get $25 off plus additional 10% off, I bought about $58 worth stuff for $22, oh on Nemetodes I went with larger size.

I have used beneficial nematodes for control of flea beetles (they kill the beetle larvae in the soil) and I had great results with it, their numbers declined very quickly after the initial application, and since then haven't seen them hardly at all (a year later).

If you read the information provided with the beneficial nematodes (at least the ones I used), you will see a statement that says that their efficacy and their ability to take hold in your garden is increased if the soil is not disturbed (not tilled, etc.).

Being as they hang around longer and do their job better when you go no-till AND, as Dave said, tilling tends to spread the bad guys around - I'd go no-till.

I personally have gone to a no-till system for the past few years and I have had great results with it. I've found that not tilling the soil not only benefits beneficial nematodes, but it also helps other beneficial insects and microorganisms. I've started to notice a wider variety of insects and most of them beneficial. So far this year I've seen lady bugs, brown lacewings, hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and, most recently, soldier beetles.

When reading about soldier beetles for example, I found this little tidbit which might explain why I'm seeing more of them now: "It is important to the life cycle of soldier beetles (and many other beneficial organisms) that they have undisturbed, mulched soil in which to pupate..."

Thanks for reminding me on no tilling. I had no choice. When I moved into the new home, the planters were full with sand/clay mix with rocks. I added a boat load of compost last year. this year I added a lot of compost and composted manure and tilled it so its easy to dig and roots can spread well. hereon I dont plan on tilling as now I am going after nematodes.

I want to use double the concentrate in my affected planters, would it hurt? I want to put all 10M application into some 200 SF planter area.