TELONE™ Soil Fumigant: Application Flexibility Puts You In Control

Posted on | by Randy Huckaba

Soil health is the foundation of high-yielding, high-quality crops. For growers, managing soil pests like nematodes, certain fungi, and other destructive organisms can mean the difference between a robust harvest and significant losses. That’s where TELONE™ soil fumigant comes into play, offering an effective, reliable solution for controlling a broad spectrum of nematodes and soil-borne pests before planting. Its versatility in application methods ensures that growers have the flexibility to choose the best approach to meet their unique field and crop needs.

Whether you’re growing vegetables, fruit trees, row crops, or ornamentals, TELONE™ delivers protection across a wide range of crop types and field conditions. Let’s take a closer look at the variety of application methods TELONE™ supports, from in-row treatments to full-field broadcast applications, all designed to optimize pest control while maintaining the integrity of your fields.

THE VERSATILITY OF TELONE™ SOIL FUMIGANT

One of TELONE™’s most significant advantages is its flexibility. Growers can choose from several application methods depending on their crop needs, soil conditions, and pest pressure. This versatility ensures that TELONE™ fits seamlessly into various farming systems, allowing for efficient pest control while minimizing disruption to planting schedules and maximizing productivity.

Here are the primary application methods:

IN-ROW APPLICATION

Example of in-row application with TELONE™

In-row application, also known as strip fumigation, is an efficient and cost-effective way to apply TELONE™, especially when pest pressures are concentrated in specific areas. This method targets the soil where crops will be planted, delivering pest control precisely where it is needed. In-row fumigation uses less product compared to full-field applications, making it an economical choice for many growers while still offering the benefits of TELONE™’s broad-spectrum pest control.

This method is ideal for crops planted in rows, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other vegetables, as well as field crops like cotton and peanuts. It ensures the plants get a pest-free start by treating the soil in the primary rooting area. 

BROADCAST APPLICATION

For situations where pest pressure is more widespread or when crop roots will spread throughout the field, broadcast fumigation is the preferred method. This technique involves treating the entire field versus bands as in-row fumigation, ensuring maximum crop protection from TELONE™.  Broadcast application is particularly beneficial for crops with extensive root systems, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, or strawberries, where complete soil pest management is necessary for optimal growth and yield.

This method is also advantageous when preparing fields for crops with known high susceptibility to nematodes or fungal diseases, helping to create a clean, pest-free environment before planting.

SUB-SURFACE DRIP APPLICATION

TELONE™ can also be applied via sub-surface drip irrigation systems. This method allows growers to deliver the fumigant in a highly controlled and targeted manner, applying TELONE™ directly to the root zone through a drip line. Sub-surface drip application reduces labor and equipment requirements, making it a highly efficient choice for growers with existing irrigation infrastructure.

The precise delivery of TELONE™ through drip systems places the treatment exactly where the roots will later grow, while reducing the potential for off-target movement. This method is particularly useful for growers seeking to incorporate soil fumigation into their integrated pest management (IPM) strategies while conserving water and minimizing environmental impact.

UNDER TIF (TOTALLY IMPERMEABLE FILM) APPLICATION

Example of TIF Application

Another innovative method of applying TELONE™ is under Totally Impermeable Film (TIF). TIF is a specialized barrier film that, when laid over treated soil, enhances the effectiveness of fumigants by reducing their volatilization and preventing off-gassing. This not only maximizes the fumigant’s pest-control efficacy but also significantly minimizes emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

Using TELONE™ under TIF is particularly advantageous for high-value crops like strawberries, where superior pest control and yield maximization are critical. The barrier provided by TIF keeps the fumigant in the soil longer, allowing for greater exposure to pests while protecting surrounding environments.

DEEP-SHANK APPLICATION

For deep-rooted crops or when dealing with deep soil-borne pest infestations, deep-shank fumigation is an ideal method. This technique involves injecting TELONE™ deeper into the soil profile, ensuring that the fumigant reaches pests that reside below the topsoil. Deep-shank application is particularly useful in orchards, vineyards, and fields where deep nematode populations or other pests are prevalent.

By delivering TELONE™ to greater depths, this method ensures comprehensive soil pest control throughout the rooting zone, providing long-term protection for perennials and other deep-rooted crops.

CO-APPLICATION

TELONE™ can also be co-applied with chloropicrin, a soil fumigant that targets soil-borne diseases caused by fungi and certain bacteria. Co-application of TELONE™ and chloropicrin is particularly beneficial for crops that are susceptible to both nematodes and soil-borne pathogens, such as strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. This combination treatment offers comprehensive protection, controlling a wider range of pests in one pass.

Benefits of Co-Application:

  • Enhanced Pest Control: TELONE™ targets nematodes, while chloropicrin addresses soil-borne diseases, providing a dual-action approach to protect crops.
  • Improved Crop Yield: Co-application helps prevent diseases that could further weaken plants already stressed by nematodes, resulting in healthier root systems and higher productivity.
  • Regional Advantages: In regions with high disease pressure, such as California’s strawberry-growing regions or the southeastern U.S. for tomato and pepper crops, co-applying TELONE™ and chloropicrin ensures comprehensive soil pest management before planting.

Flexibility Meets Efficacy

One of the key benefits of TELONE™ is its ability to adapt to various field conditions and application methods, allowing growers to address their specific pest control needs efficiently with a more prescriptive approach. Whether dealing with concentrated pest populations in row crops or more widespread infestations in broadcast crops, TELONE™ offers the flexibility to choose the method that best aligns with your farming practices.

This adaptability, combined with TELONE™’s proven efficacy, makes it a preferred choice for growers seeking to protect their crops from yield-damaging nematodes. Furthermore, TELONE™ is compatible with many sustainable farming practices, such as the use of TIF and precision drip irrigation systems, allowing farmers to maintain a focus on environmental stewardship while optimizing pest management.

CONCLUSION

TELONE™ soil fumigant is a trusted solution for comprehensive soil pest control, offering a range of flexible application methods to suit any farming system. From in-row and broadcast applications to innovative techniques like sub-surface drip and TIF fumigation, TELONE™ ensures that growers can protect their fields, maximize yields, and minimize environmental impact—all while maintaining the health and productivity of their soil.

By tailoring your TELONE™ application to your field’s unique needs, you can effectively manage nematodes and give your crops the best possible start.

Interested in learning more about soil fumigation? Check out our blog post “What is Soil Fumigation—And Why Does it Matter?”

What Is Soil Fumigation—And Why Does It Matter?

Disclaimer:
The resources and information provided are meant purely for educational discussion, contains only general information about legal matters, and is not to be construed as advice. Please note that any information or resources provided are not legal or regulatory advice, and should not be treated as such. You must not rely on the information provided as an alternative to legal advice from your attorney or other professional services. Teleos Ag encourages readers to consult with counsel, and their local, county, and state regulators. We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, in relation to the information provided through our resources and blog posts. It is the readers responsibility to know the laws related to 1,3- D, appropriate PPE, Licensing, etc., in his or her City, County, State, and Country.

Randy Huckaba
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